OUH Case Study of Rare Infection Showcases Life-Saving Teamwork and Innovation
28 February 2026
This Rare Disease Day, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) is proud to share the remarkable clinical case that has been published as a Grand Round Case in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, the world's leading infectious diseases journal.
A critically unwell child was admitted to the John Radcliffe Hospital with severe sepsis caused by necrotising myositis – an extremely rare, rapidly progressing, and life-threatening infection, with only nine paediatric cases reported in publication since 1958. The condition often presents with minimal signs, making early diagnosis exceptionally challenging.
Following a life-saving single limb amputation, the five-year-old patient not only survived a condition with high mortality rate, but also made a remarkable recovery and was successfully discharged.
The favourable outcome was only possible due to early diagnosis, rapid decision-making, and swift surgical intervention by the Paediatric Critical Care, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Anaesthetics, and Paediatrics teams. The case highlights the care, consideration, commitment, and collaboration of the teams involved.
The case study was written by OUH Doctors – Suraya Yusuf (former Foundation Doctor), Michael Carter (Consultant, Paediatrics Intensive Care), Jenny Woodruff (Consultant, Paediatrics Intensive Care), Peter Kalu (Consultant, Plastic Surgery), Justin Wormald (Academic plastic surgery Registrar) and Claire Sethu (Consultant, Plastic Surgery).
The published case highlights several key lessons for clinical practice:
- Early recognition and rapid action are vital in managing rare, fast-moving infections like necrotising myositis, which often present with non-specific symptoms and minimal skin changes.
- Decisive multidisciplinary teamwork enabled life-saving surgery, including a complex amputation and innovative reconstructive procedures.
- The case sets a benchmark for best practice in paediatric emergency care and demonstrates the importance of empowering local surgical teams to act swiftly, without delay for transfer.
Claire Sethu, Consultant, Plastic Surgery said: "This case shows the power of multidisciplinary teamwork and decisive surgical intervention. With necrotising myositis, the rapid onset and minimal early signs mean that swift recognition and immediate action were essential to saving this child’s life. We are proud of our team’s resilience during such an emotionally challenging case, which highlighted the importance of team support and structured debriefs for staff wellbeing. It's a privilege to work in a Trust where teamwork and patient‑centred care are central to everything we do."
Michael Carter, Consultant, Paediatrics said: "The successful outcome was only possible because of close collaboration between paediatrics, surgical, anaesthetic, and intensive care teams. Managing such a rapidly deteriorating patient required constant communication and shared decision-making at every stage. We hope this publication raise awareness among clinicians about the subtle signs of rare infections like necrotising myositis and the importance of acting quickly."
Professor Andrew Brent, Chief Medical Officer at OUH, said: "As well as helping to advance clinical knowledge, this case and the publication highlight the excellent collaborative care provided at the OUH.
“We are proud of the teams involved in this achievement for delivering such exemplary care and setting an example that others can learn from."
