Sepsis-associated encephalopathy and uterine necrosis revealing HIV infection after artery ligation and uterine compression sutures: Case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) targets immune cells and exposes infected patients to several diseases. For these reasons, HIV infection should be suspected in each situation where post-operative sepsis occurs, to afford therapy and improve the patient's prognosis.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present a case of a pregnant woman at 39 weeks of gestation who missed her prenatal follow-up. She underwent an emergency caesarian section for severe abnormality in the fetal heart rate. The caesarian section was complicated by a post-partum hemorrhage (PPH). PPH was managed with uterine artery ligation and B-Lynch modified sutures.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Postoperatively, there was the succession of the following events: purulent uterine necrosis, peritonitis, and encephalitis leading to a life-saving hysterectomy. Due to the worsening of the septic condition, HIV screening was performed, after obtaining the patient's consent, and came back positive.

CONCLUSION

The aim of this case report is to push practicians to think about HIV infection when necessary because missing the diagnosis can seriously threaten patients' health.