Clostridium perfringens

• Large Gram positive anaerobic that forms spores.

Main Clinical Infections:     

• Gas gangrene, a complication of wound infection.
• Rapidly spreading oedema, myositis, tissue necrosis and gas production resulting in crepitus of adjacent tissues and profound toxaemia.
• Food Poisoning - from contaminated undercooked meat.
• C. perfringens colitis
  • Similar to C. difficile colitis.
  • Affects elderly patients on antibiotics
• Treatment of Gas gangrene:
  • Surgical debridement of wound necessary.
  • Hyperbaric oxygen may be useful

Usually sensitive to:

• Penicillins
• Cefuroxime
• Co-amoxiclav
• Piptazobactam
• Vancomycin
• Metronidazole
• Clindamycin
• Meropenem / Imipenem

Usually resistant to:

• Quinolones (levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin)
• Aminoglycosides (gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin)

Page last edited: 16/01/2009

Caution; the antibiotic doses recommended on this website are intended for adult patients with normal renal and liver function unless otherwise stated. Dosing advice for patients with renal impairment is available here.

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