(formerly known as C. welchii, or Bacillus welchii) Gram-positiverod-shapedanaerobicspore-forming bacterium

Clostridium perfringens

Food poisoningpoorly prepared meat and poultry, or food properly prepared but left to stand too long, the main culprits in harboring the bacterium.

Clostridium perfringens forms spores that can withstand cooking temperatures, if cooked food is let stand for long enough, germination can ensue and infective bacterial colonies develop.

preventionproper boiling

InfectionClostridium perfringens is the most common bacterial agent for gas gangrene, which is necrosis, putrefaction of tissues, and gas production. It is caused primarily by Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin.

gas gangrene

a bacterial infection that produces gas in tissues in gangrene

Cholecystitis (Greek, -cholecyst, "gallbladder", combined with the suffix -itis, "inflammation") iinflammation of the gallbladder

Symptoms

abdominal cramping diarrhea vomiting fever

DIAGNOSISNagler's Reaction

TREATMENTTraumatic wounds should be cleaned.Penicillin prophylaxis