Which bacteria cause gangrene

As blood vessels are naturally narrow, any damage or extra narrowing has the potential to block blood flow to a part of the body and cause gangrene. People with diabetes have an increased risk of developing gangrene. This is because the high blood sugar levels associated with the condition can damage your nerves, particularly those in your feet, which can make it easy to injure yourself without realising. High blood sugar can also damage your blood vessels, restricting the blood supply to your feet.

Less blood means your feet will also receive fewer infection-fighting cells, so wounds will take longer to heal and are more likely to become infected. It's therefore important that you take extra care of your feet if you have diabetes. Read more about foot care in preventing gangrene. Gas gangrene is a fast-spreading clostridial infection of muscle tissue that, if untreated, quickly leads to death.

Clostridia Overview of Clostridial Infections Clostridia are bacteria that commonly reside in the intestine of healthy adults and newborns. Clostridia also reside in animals, soil, and decaying vegetation.

These bacteria do not require That is, they are anaerobes Overview of Anaerobic Bacteria Bacteria can be classified in several different ways. One way is based on their need for oxygen—whether they need oxygen to live and grow: Aerobes: Those that need oxygen Anaerobes: Those that So they reproduce well in soft tissues that have been severely damaged and in wounds that are very deep.

Such tissues have poor blood flow and thus low oxygen levels. Most clostridial soft-tissue infections, including gangrene, are caused by Clostridium perfringens. Clostridial soft-tissue infections usually develop hours or days after an injury but sometimes take several days to appear. Shallow skin infections cellulitis Cellulitis Cellulitis is a spreading bacterial infection of the skin and the tissues immediately beneath the skin.

This infection is most often caused by streptococci or staphylococci. Redness, pain, and Deeper infections into fibrous tissue around the muscles called fascia fasciitis or muscle myositis , which usually are painful. Sometimes the bacteria in soft tissues produce large amounts of gas as a waste product.

The gas can form bubbles and blisters in tissue. Often, the infection blocks small blood vessels. As a result, the infected tissue dies, leading to gangrene.

The dead tissue enables the clostridial infection to spread even faster. Gangrene is more likely to develop when muscle is infected than when only the skin is infected. Call your provider if you have signs of infection around a skin wound. Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number such as , if you have symptoms of gas gangrene.

Clean any skin injury thoroughly. Watch for signs of infection such as redness, pain, drainage, or swelling around a wound. See your provider promptly if these occur. Tissue infection - clostridial; Gangrene - gas; Myonecrosis; Clostridial infection of tissues; Necrotizing soft tissue infection. Henry S, Cain C. Gas gangrene of the extremity. Current Surgical Therapy. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; Diseases caused by clostridium.

Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Updated by: Jatin M. Gangrene is often life-threatening, so immediate medical care is crucial. Health Home Conditions and Diseases. Gangrene comes in 2 forms, dry and wet: Dry gangrene occurs when the blood supply to tissue is cut off. The area becomes dry, shrinks, and turns black. Wet gangrene occurs if bacteria invade this tissue. This makes the area swell, drain fluid, and smell bad. What causes gangrene? Gangrene happens when blood supply to certain tissues is stopped.

This can happen due to: An infection An injury such as a burn or combat wound A chronic disease Chronic diseases that harm the circulatory system include diabetes, peripheral artery disease, and Raynaud's disease. Who is at risk for gangrene? What are the symptoms of gangrene? These are other symptoms of gangrene: Coldness and numbness in the affected area Pain in or beyond the affected area Redness and swelling around a wound this is often present when wet gangrene develops Sores that keep cropping up in the same place Persistent, unexplained fever, with a temperature higher than How is gangrene diagnosed?

How is gangrene treated? Your healthcare provider will figure out the best treatment plan for you based on: Your age, overall health, and medical history How sick you are How well you handle certain medicines, treatments, or therapies If your condition is expected to get worse The opinion of the healthcare providers involved in your care Your opinion and preference Treatment of gangrene will usually consist of 1 or more of these procedures: Antibiotics.

These medicines can be used to kill bacteria in the affected area. They are used only when wet gangrene is present Surgery to remove the dead tissue. This is called debridement. It can help keep the gangrene from spreading to healthy tissues nearby.