Clostridium perfringens Flashcards
1
Q
Description of C. perfringens
A
-5 strains based on toxin profile
2
Q
Clinical presentation of C. perfringens
A
- 1 to 3 days until infected wounds begins suppurating
- foul discharge, tissue necrosis, toxemia, shock, death
- food poisoning if ingested and not infect
3
Q
Epidemiology of C. perfringens
A
- commonly associated with traumatic tissue injury
- lives off lack of O2
4
Q
Pathogenesis of C. perfringens
A
- extracellular enzyme secretions destroy tissue and allow invasion by vegetative cells
- alpha toxin: a lecithinase
- hyaluronidase, collagenase
- beta toxin
- some produce enterotoxin
5
Q
Production of gas results in what clinical presentation
A
- myonecrosis
- tissue dissension which compresses blood vessels
- blood flow stops, necrosis enhanced by toxins
- toxemia
6
Q
Control of C. perfringens
A
- surgical debridement
- metronidazole, penicillin, clindamycin
