Diagnosis and Management of Clostridium Perfringens Sepsis and Uterine Gas Gangrene

Halpin, Thomas F.; Molinari, Jane A

doi:10.1097/00006254-200201000-00024

Cited by 31 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Alpha toxin plays a key role in the pathogenesis of C. perfringens type A strain-related diseases such a gas gangrene in humans [8] and in animals [13]. Alpha toxin shows phospholipase C activity and haemolytic activity as well as a variety of subtle effects in the intracellular metabolism of eukaryotic target cells, which confirm its toxicity [4,7,26].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Necrotizing enterocolitis of the neonate with Clostridium perfringens: diagnosis, clinical course, and role of alpha toxin

et al. 2007

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The severity of the clinical course in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) associated with Clostridium perfringens (Cp) may support the hypothesis of a specific disease. We conducted a case control study of infants diagnosed with NEC, who underwent surgical treatment over a 7-year period. Patient histories examined characteristics of the infants, bacterial infection as well as NEC's severity, antibiotic treatment, and clinical course. Infants infected with NEC associated with Cp were compared with NEC patients without Cp. The alpha toxin from Cp type A was detected in most of the isolated strains. Cp was identified as a causative agent of NEC in nine cases. As compared with the control group (n = 32), the onset of disease was earlier in life, the clinical course more severe, and patients had a larger extent of gangrene. Portal venous gas was evident in 77% of all Cp cases, as compared to 25% in the control group. The mortality rate was 44% in the Cp group, and only 18.7% in the control group. Type A Clostridium perfringens was identified in six cases. In each isolate alpha toxin production was proven, but without any correlation to the severity of the clinical course, the extent of intestinal gangrene or mortality. In premature infants NEC in conjunction with Cp seems to be more severe than other NEC cases; it also entails higher mortality and morbidity. Alpha toxin concentrations do not correlate with the severity of the disease. Portal venous gas is highly suggestive for the diagnosis of Cp infection.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Necrotizing enterocolitis of the neonate with Clostridium perfringens: diagnosis, clinical course, and role of alpha toxin

et al. 2007

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“…Puerperal sepsis with severe hemolysis caused by C. perfringens is very rare, with only 2 cases reported in the English literature over the last 10 years, according to our search of MEDLINE [1,2] . However, this rare anaerobic infection still continues to occur in modern obstetric practice, and knowledge about the clinical signs helps to diagnose it accurately and early to be able to start life-saving treatment.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Prompt antibiotic treatment and surgical intervention are the keys to decreasing mortality. Immediate hysterectomy is associated with increased survival if hemolysis, sepsis or uterine tenderness present in cases of intramyometrial gas [2] . Targeted antibiotic therapy includes penicillin in doses of 20-30 million units/day; alternative choices are aminoglycosides, penicillinase-resistant penicillins, clindamycin, third-generation cephalosporin, and metronidazole [2] .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Puerperal <i>Clostridium perfringens</i> Sepsis in a Patient with Granulocytopenia

Nadišauskienė¹,

Kliučinskas²,

Vitkauskienė

et al. 2007

Gynecol Obstet Invest

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“…Usually a second antibiotic such as clindamycin or gentamicin is added, since these infections could be polymicrobial [7]. Other supportive measures such as blood transfusion, correction of electrolytes, hemodialysis in renal failure, and parenteral nutrition help in recovery [7].…”

Section: Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toxic Hemolysis in a Young Healthy Female

et al. 2017

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Clostridium perfringes is a gram-positive, rod-shaped, anerobic, spore-forming pathogenic bacterium. C. perfringes is commonly known to cause tissue necrosis and gas gangrene. However, severe life-threatening complications like hemolysis due to clostridium sepsis are rarely encountered. We present a case of a 35-year-old female presenting with endometritis complicated with severe hemolysis in the setting of sepsis secondary to C. perfringes. Her hospital course was complicated with multi-organ involvement, requiring broadspectrum intravenous antibiotics. Eventually, she made an uneventful recovery by early recognition of these rare complications and prompt institution of appropriate therapy.

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Diagnosis and Management of Clostridium Perfringens Sepsis and Uterine Gas Gangrene

Cited by 31 publications

References 10 publications

Necrotizing enterocolitis of the neonate with Clostridium perfringens: diagnosis, clinical course, and role of alpha toxin

Necrotizing enterocolitis of the neonate with Clostridium perfringens: diagnosis, clinical course, and role of alpha toxin

Puerperal <i>Clostridium perfringens</i> Sepsis in a Patient with Granulocytopenia

Toxic Hemolysis in a Young Healthy Female

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