Clostridium perfringens
- Spores are rarely seen clinically, and, that colonies are flat and irregular; it is beta-hemolytic.
C. perfringens* can be divided into subtypes based on toxin production.
Virulence factors:
- Alpha toxins cause hemolysis, vascular leakage, liver toxicity, and cardiac dysfunction.
– Present in all
C. perfringens subtypes.
- Several other toxins form pores and/or induce necrosis.
Food poisoning enterotoxins* alter the intestinal membrane permeability, leading to fluid and ion loss; like some other bacterial toxins, this enterotoxin is a superantigen.
Infection:
- Range of soft tissue infections, including cellulitis, fasciitis, myositis, and myonecrosis.
–
Myonecrosis, aka,
gas gangrene, which is a life-threatening disease that destroys muscle tissues. Bacterial metabolic activity produces characteristic gas bubbles, which appear as purlplish-black bulges under the skin. Tissue necrosis and other complications can lead to death.
C. perfringens*
food poisoning typically results from consumption of contaminated meat products; the enterotoxin acts on the small intestine to produce
abdominal cramps and watery diarrhea without fever or vomiting.
Treatment & Prevention:
– Treatment for
C. perfringens soft-tissue infections includes antibiotics and surgical debridement of necrotic tissues.
– Proper wound care is essential for prevention of infection.
– Treatment for food poisoning includes rehydration; antibiotics are not recommended because this type of food poisoning is self-limiting.
– Prevention is achieved by refrigerating and thorough reheating of foods to at least 74 degrees Celsius.
Gas gangrene (Wikipedia; Authors Engelbert Schröpfer, Stephan Rauthe and Thomas Meyer).
