C149 Gas Gangrene and Other Clostridial Infections

Introduction

Etiologic agent

Epidemiology and transmission

Clinical syndromes

Clostridial wound contamination

Polymicrobial infections involving clostridia

ConditionAntibiotic TreatmentPenicillin AllergyAdjunctive Treatment/Note
Wound contaminationNoneTreatment should be based on clinical signs andsymptoms as listed below and not solely onbacteriologic findings.
Polymicrobial anaerobicinfections involvingclostridia (e.g.,abdominal wall,gynecologic)Ampicillin (2 g IV q4h) plusClindamycin (600–900 mgIV q6–8h) plus Ciprofloxacin(400 mg IV q6–8 h)Vancomycin (1 g IV q12h)plus Metronidazole (500 mgIV q6h) plus Ciprofloxacin(400 mg IV q6–8h)Empirical therapy should be initiated. Therapyshould be based on Gram’s stain and culture resultsand on sensitivity data when available. Add gram-negative coverage if indicated (see text).
Clostridial sepsisPenicillin (3– 4 mU IV q4–6h) plus Clindamycin(600–900 mg IV q6–8h)Clindamycin alone orMetronidazole (as above) orVancomycin (as above)Transient bacteremia without signs of systemictoxicity may be clinically insignificant.
Gas gangreneaPenicillin G (4 mU IV q4– 6h) plus Clindamycin(600–900 mg IV q6–8h)Cefoxitin (2 g IV q6h) plusClindamycin (600–900 mgIV q6–8h)Emergent surgical exploration and thoroughdebridement are extremely important.Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be considered axersurgery and antibiotic initiation.

Enteric clostridial infections

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea without pseudomembranous colitis

Enteritis necroticans

  • Caused by ? toxin– and ? toxin–producing strains of C. perfringens type C

Necrotizing enterocolitis

  • Associated with C. perfringens type A

Clostridial bacteremia

Clostridial skin and soft-tissue infections

Clostridial myonecrosis (gas gangrene)

  • Traumatic
  • Spontaneous (nontraumatic)
  • Clinical manifestations
    • ???: 3? ??, ?? 24?? ??.
    • ????? ???? ???? ?? ?? ????? ?? ??.
  • Treatment
    • Debridement (m/i), ?? ?? amputation
    • Anti: clindamycin +/- penicillin G
  • Prevention

Toxic shock syndrome

Other Clostridial Skin and Soft-Tissue Infections

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