Clostridium perfringens

Laboratory diagnosis

As with other Clostridium species

• Gram positive baccillus

• anaerobic

• endospores

Features

• alpha-toxin

  • causes myonecrosis / gas-gangrene

• beta-toxin

  • necrotising enteritis / pig-bel

Disease

• cellulitis

• fasciitis

• gas gangrene (myonecrosis)

• food poisoning

• necrotising enteritis (pig-bel)

• septicaemia

Treatment

• debridement

• high-dose penicillin

• (?hyperbaric oxygen)