Pathogens
Clostridium perfringens

Clostridium perfringens

Precautions

Contact precautions while draining wound present.

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.