Overview of Clostridial Infections

Clostridium perfringens food poisoning Clostridium perfringens Food Poisoning Clostridium perfringens food poisoning results from eating food contaminated by the bacterium Clostridium perfringens. Once in the small intestine, the bacterium releases a toxin... read more (a type of gastroenteritis Overview of Gastroenteritis Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the lining of the stomach and small and large intestines. It is usually caused by infection with a microorganism but can also be caused by ingestion of chemical... read more ) can develop when people eat food (usually beef) that contains clostridia. Clostridia develop from spores, which can survive the heat of cooking. If food that contains spores is not eaten soon after it is cooked, the spores develop into active clostridia bacteria, which then multiply in the food. If the food is served without adequate reheating, the clostridia are consumed. They multiply in the small intestine and produce a toxin that causes watery diarrhea and abdominal cramping.

Clostridium perfringens food poisoning is usually mild and resolves within 24 hours. But rarely, it is severe, particularly in the very young and in older people.

A doctor usually suspects the diagnosis of Clostridium perfringens food poisoning when a local outbreak of the disease has occurred. The diagnosis is confirmed by testing contaminated food or stool samples from infected people for Clostridium perfringens and its toxin.

To prevent food poisoning, people should promptly refrigerate leftover cooked meat and reheat it thoroughly before serving.

Treatment of Clostridium perfringens food poisoning includes drinking lots of fluids and resting. Antibiotics are not used.

Clostridia bacteria, usually Clostridium perfringens, are often involved in abdominal infections, usually with other bacteria (called mixed anaerobic infections).

Clostridial infections can develop when the intestine is torn. Clostridia can also infect the gallbladder and organs in the pelvis, such as the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Clostridia usually infect the uterus after delivery of a baby or after an abortion done in conditions that are not sterile.

Clostridial infections of the abdomen and pelvis are serious and sometimes fatal. Clostridia produce large amounts of gas, which can form bubbles and blisters in the infected tissue. Often, the infection blocks small blood vessels, and the infected tissue dies, leading to gas gangrene Gas Gangrene Gas gangrene is a life-threatening infection of muscle tissue caused mainly by the anaerobic bacteria Clostridium perfringens and several other species of clostridia. Gas gangrene can... read more .

Symptoms include pain and fever. The abdomen is tender to the touch. If the uterus is infected, women may have a foul-smelling, bloody discharge from the vagina.

To diagnose clostridial abdominal and pelvic infections, doctors take samples of blood or infected tissue. These samples are examined and sent to a laboratory where bacteria, if present, can be grown (cultured) and identified. Doctors may take x-rays to check for gas produced by clostridia.

Treatment of clostridial abdominal and pelvic infections involves surgery to remove the infected and dead tissue (called debridement). Antibiotics, such as penicillin, are given for at least 1 week. Sometimes penicillin is used together with another antibiotic called clindamycin. Sometimes, if an organ (such as the uterus) is badly infected, it is removed. Such treatment can be lifesaving.

Clostridial necrotizing enteritis is also called enteritis necroticans or pigbel. This infection is caused by Clostridium perfringens and typically affects the small intestine (primarily the jejunum). The infection ranges from mild to severe and can be fatal if not treated promptly. This rare infection occurs mostly in places where people consume low-protein diets, such as in the hinterlands of New Guinea and parts of Africa, Central and South America, and Asia.

Diagnosis of clostridial necrotizing enteritis is based on stool tests.

Treatment of clostridial necrotizing enteritis is with antibiotics. People who have very severe infections may need surgery.

Neutropenic enterocolitis (typhlitis) is a similar life-threatening syndrome that develops in the beginning of the large intestine (cecum) of people who have a low white blood cell count (for example, people who have leukemia or are receiving chemotherapy for cancer).

Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis occurs mostly in premature newborns who weigh less than about 1500 grams (3 pounds). It may be caused by clostridia bacteria.

Clostridia may also spread to the blood (causing bacteremia Bacteremia Bacteremia is the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream. Bacteremia may result from ordinary activities (such as vigorous toothbrushing), dental or medical procedures, or from infections ... read more ). Widespread bacteremia (sepsis Sepsis and Septic Shock Sepsis is a serious bodywide response to bacteremia or another infection plus malfunction or failure of an essential system in the body. Septic shock is life-threatening low blood pressure ... read more ) can cause fever and serious symptoms such as low blood pressure, jaundice, and anemia. Sepsis can develop after a clostridial infection and be rapidly fatal.

To diagnose sepsis caused by clostridia, doctors take samples of blood. These samples are sent to a laboratory where bacteria, if present, can be grown (cultured) and identified.

People who have sepsis are admitted to the hospital and are given antibiotics. (See also treatment of sepsis Treatment Sepsis is a serious bodywide response to bacteremia or another infection plus malfunction or failure of an essential system in the body. Septic shock is life-threatening low blood pressure ... read more .)