ETIOLOGY

Gas gangrene is one of the most fatal infections. It has a mortality rate of 25% and can be 100% in patients with spontaneous gas gangrene or those with delayed treatment. Gas gangrene is caused by a bacterium called Clostridium perfingens. The bacteria is a gram positive, rod shaped, obligate anaerobe, endo-spore forming, toxin producing prokaryotic cell. It is found in soil, sand, dust, and humans. The Clostridium perfingens are the only anaerobic spore-forming genus found in humans. The bacteria have been found in mucous membranes, the GI tract, and female genital tract.

EPIDEMIOLOGY

Gas gangrene is rare only 1,000 to 3,000 cases annually in the U.S. It is seen in patients in the age ranges of 15 to 25 and 60 to 70 years of age. The bacteria enter the body through deep tissue or parenteral route. Gas gangrene can be classified as posttraumatic, postoperative, or spontaneous. Posttraumatic gas gangrene accounts for 60% of...