Pathogens
Clostridium perfringens

Clostridium perfringens

Precautions

If extensive wound drainage is present

Not usually transmitted from person to person

Susceptibilities

General Information

Penicillin with clindamycin

Anaerobic spore forming gram positive bacilli, boxcar 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.

Antibiotics are not indicated for C. perfringens food poisoning.