Pathogens
Clostridium perfringens

Clostridium perfringens

Precautions

Routine Practices

Susceptibilities

General Information

Anaerobic spore forming gram positive bacilli, box-car shaped.

Environmental (soil, water) organism as well as human/animal digestive tract.

Associated with penetrating wounds with environmental exposure.

  •  Gas gangrene/Clostridial myonecrosis
  •  Necrotizing skin and soft tissue infection
  • Septic abortion
  • Intra-abdominal abscess
  • Fatal bacteremia with massive exotoxin-mediated hemolysis
  • Foodborne self-limited gastrointestinal illness

Surgical debridement of devitalized tissue crucial.

IVIG and hyperbaric oxygen may be considered but lack of rigorous studies to support routine use.