Clostridium perfringens

Precautions

See 'Additional Information'
See 'Additional Information'

General Information

Pathogen information

Anaerobic spore forming gram positive bacilli, box-car shaped

Epidemiology

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

  • Associated with penetrating wounds with environmental exposure

Associated syndromes

  • Gas gangrene/Clostridial myonecrosis

  • Necrotizing skin and soft tissue infection

  • Intra-abdominal abscess

  • Fatal bacteremia with massive exotoxin-mediated hemolysis

  • Foodborne self-limited gastrointestinal illness

Additional Information

  • Surgical debridement of devitalized tissue crucial

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