title: The role of clostridial toxins in the pathogenesis of gas gangrene.
abstract: Clostridium perfringens gas gangrene is, without a doubt, the most fulminant necrotizing infection that affects humans. In victims of traumatic injury, the infection can become well established in as little as 6-8 h, and the destruction of adjacent healthy muscle can progress several inches per hour despite appropriate antibiotic coverage. Shock and organ failure are present in 50% of patients and, among these, 40% die. Despite modern medical advances and intensive-care regimens, radical amputation remains the single best life-saving treatment. Over the past century, much has been learned about the pathogenesis of this disease, and novel therapies are on the horizon for patients with this devastating infection.
authors.affiliation: Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Boise, ID, USA; and University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA. dlsteven@mindspring.com
authors.forename: Dennis L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: Amy E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Bryant
mesh_terms: D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D003016:Clostridium perfringens / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D005738:Gas Gangrene / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000209:etiology; D009336:Necrosis; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D001427:Bacterial Toxins