(VIII)Sporing Anaerobic Gram Positive Rods (3) *Clostridium perfringens Flashcards
Explain the relationship between motorcycle accidents and C. perfringens infections
Spores in the soil innoculate the wound
Clostridium perfringens infection
Transmission:
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Virulence factors: […]
Clinical Presentation
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Clostridium perfringens infection
Transmission:
- human faeces (may colonize skin particularly below waist, often causes outbreaks in geriatric wards)
- Survives cooking. Anaerobic, allowing for germination and toxin production}}
Virulence factors: Alphatoxin (lecithinase) –> destroys cell membranes
Clinical Presentation
- Gas gangrene (clostridial myonecrosis): Spores introduced into area of tissue which is anaerobic –> rapid spreading of tissue damage. Gas usually produced, detected by pressing and feeling a crepitus or by X-ray. Pain, discouralation. Smelly discharge. systemic illness. shock and hypothermia
-Clostridial cellulitis
-Food poisoning (A more severe diarrheal illness caused by one subtype of Clostridium perfringens can lead to hemorrhagic necrosis of the jejunum)
Predisposing factors to gas gangrene:
- Trauma forcing spores deep into tissues (bullet wounds/accidents)
- vascular disease
- surgery on bowel/biliary tract
- adrenaline injection into buttock (spore forced in by needle + local vasoconstriction)
What is the treatment for gas gangrene?
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What is the treatment for gas gangrene?
Remove ALL dead and damaged tissue!!! (need to be very bold) + Antibiotic (Benzylpenicillin/clindamycin)
Antibiotics cannot reach dead tissues, so must remove these dead tissues surgically.
