Clostridium perfringens (GAS GANGRENE)

Clostridium perfringens, a gram positive rod, causes wound colonization (gas gangrene) after soil, and to a lesser extent intestinal tract, contamination.

The organism produces several tissue degrading enzymes (including lecithinase [alpha toxin], proteolytic and saccharolytic enzymes). Necrosis and destruction of blood vessels and the surrounding tissue, especially muscle, (myonecrosis is a condition of necrotic damage, specific to muscle tissue). This creates an anaerobic environment in adjacent tissue and the organism spreads systemically.