Pathogens
Clostridium perfringens

Clostridium perfringens

Precautions

See 'Additional Information'

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
  • Contact precautions while draining wound present
  • In cases of gas gangrene or necrotizing fasciitis, prompt surgical debridement is critical
  • Strongly consider consultation with Surgery and Infectious Diseases
  • Combination of penicillin and clindamycin should be considered in patients with necrotizing fasciitis or clostridial myonecrosis