perfringens

Clostridium perfringens, often referred to as C. perfringens, is a Gram-positive, obligate anaerobic, spore-forming rod. It is commonly found in soil, sewage, and the intestinal tracts of humans and animals. It is classified into five toxinotypes (A–E) based on the major toxins it produces; alpha toxin is produced by all types and is a key virulence factor.

Type A is the most frequent cause of gas gangrene and food poisoning. The bacterium can cause wound infections, myonecrosis, cellulitis, postoperative infections, and, less commonly, bacteremia. Pathogenicity largely depends on toxins, including alpha toxin (lecithinase), which disrupts cell membranes, as well as beta, epsilon, and iota toxins in other toxinotypes.

During sporulation in anaerobic conditions, C. perfringens can produce an enterotoxin that leads to food poisoning, typically presenting with abdominal cramps and watery diarrhea after a short incubation. Gas gangrene results from rapid tissue necrosis and gas production in necrotic tissue and often requires surgical debridement and broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Diagnosis relies on clinical presentation and laboratory detection of anaerobic Gram-positive rods, with characteristic double-zone hemolysis on blood agar and toxin genes identified by PCR. Treatment usually involves prompt surgical debridement, high-dose penicillin and clindamycin, and, in severe cases, hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Prevention focuses on proper wound care, prompt irrigation of contaminated wounds, safe handling and cooking of meat, and appropriate antibiotic stewardship.