title: Clostridial orthopedic infections: case reports and review of the literature.
abstract: Clostridia are anaerobic Gram-positive bacilli that can be isolated from the soil and the intestinal tract of humans. These microorganisms are recognized as the cause of devastating soft tissue infections, such as cellulitis, myositis, and gas gangrene. However, such bacteria may also be involved in various postoperative orthopedic infections, including prosthetic joint infection. We present three clinical cases of clostridial orthopedic infection and review the related medical literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, S. Bortolo Hospital, Vicenza, Italy. luca.lazzarini@ulssvicenza.it
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lazzarini
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Conti
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ditri
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Turi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: de Lalla
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003015:Clostridium Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007595:Joint Prosthesis / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents