Diagnosis and management of clostridium perfringens sepsis and uterine gas gangrene.
The progression of Clostridium perfringens endomyometritis to gas gangrene is a rare, but greatly feared complication in the obstetrical patient. While endometritis following cesarean delivery is a common complication, recognition of C. perfringens as the pathogen as well as its progression to gas formation in the myometrium is essential to the survival of the patient. We present a patient that we recently cared for, and review the bacteriology, clinical diagnosis, and management.
Halpin
Thomas F
TF
Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. halpint@UMMHC.org
Molinari
Jane A
JA
D000328:Adult; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D003016:Clostridium perfringens; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005738:Gas Gangrene / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008471:Meconium Aspiration Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery
D010406:Penicillins