University:
Eastern Kentucky University
Course:
BIO 273 | Clinical Microbiology
Academic year:

2022
Views:

129

Pages:

1
Author:

Leilani Contreras

Clostridium Perfringens (+) Features: 1. 2. 3. 4. Obligate Anaerobe Spore-forming Double zone of hemolysis on Blood Agar Presentation with a. Motorcycle accidents b. Deep wounds in military combat Reservoir: 1. Spores in soil Diseases: Two diseases: 1. Gas gangrene a. Gas is produced by organism under the infected tissue when it consumes carbohydrates b. The underlying mechanism is related to Alpha toxin i. This toxin is a lecithinase ii. This means it lyses lechithin in cell membranes and disrupts them iii. If it disrupts RBC membrane, it causes hemolysis (this is the reason behind double zone of hemolysis on blood agar) c. Crepitus or crackles are heard on palpation 2. Food Poisoning a. Due to ingestion of large amount of spores b. Spores germinate in the gut and release toxin i. This is unlike other microbes which germinate OUTSIDE the gut (e.g C. botulinum in canned food, bacillus cereus in reheated rice etc) Treatment: 1. Gas gangrene: a. IV Penicillin G 2. Food Poisoning: a. Self resolving