CLOSTRIDIUM PERFRINGENS INFECTION

Course overview

CLOSTRIDIUM PERFRINGENS IS AN ANAEROBIC GRAM-POSITIVE SPORE-FORMING BACILLUS ASSOCIATED WITH ACUTE GASTROINTESTINAL INFECTIONS RANGING IN SEVERITY FROM DIARRHEA TO NECROTIZING ENTEROCOLITIS AND MYONECROSIS IN HUMANS. THIS PATHOGEN POSSESSES AN ARSENAL OF TOXINS RESPONSIBLE FOR DISEASE PATHOGENESIS AND CAN FORM SPORES RESISTANT TO ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS. C. PERFRINGENS SPORES CAN SURVIVE NORMAL COOKING TEMPERATURES. THEREFORE, IT CAN PROLIFERATE IN FOODS THAT ARE IMPROPERLY STORED. OUTBREAKS ARE MOST COMMONLY ASSOCIATED WITH IMPROPERLY HEATED OR REHEATED GRAVY, POULTRY, OR MEATS. THIS ACTIVITY WILL HIGHLIGHT THE EPIDEMIOLOGY, PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, AND OTHER KEY FACTORS PERTINENT FOR MEMBERS OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH CLOSTRIDIUM PERFRINGENS INFECTIONS.