infections
Overview of Clostridial Infections
Clostridial abdominal and pelvic infections
Clostridia bacteria, usuallyClostridium perfringens, are often involved in abdominal infections, usually with other bacteria (called mixed anaerobic infections). Clostridia bacteria can infect the intestine, the gallbladder, and organs in the pelvis, such as the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Clostridia usually infect the uterus after delivery of a baby or after an abortion done in conditions that are not sterile. Clostridial infections of the abdomen and pelvis are serious and sometimes fatal. Clostridia produce large amounts of gas, which can form bubbles and blisters in the infected tissue. Often, the infection blocks small blood vessels, and the infected tissue dies, leading to Gas Gangrene . Symptoms include pain and fever. The abdomen is tender to the touch. If the uterus is infected, women may have a foul-smelling, bloody discharge from the vagina. Symptoms can progress to a life-threatening complication called Sepsis and Septic Shock . To diagnose clostridial abdominal and pelvic infections, doctors take samples of blood or infected tissue. These samples are examined and sent to a laboratory where bacteria, if present, can be grown (cultured) and identified. Doctors may take x-rays to check for gas produced by clostridia. Treatment of clostridial abdominal and pelvic infections involves surgery to remove the infected and dead tissue (called debridement). Antibiotics, such as penicillin, are given for at least 1 week. Sometimes penicillin is used together with another antibiotic calledclindamycin. Sometimes, if an organ (such as the uterus) is badly infected, it is removed. Such treatment can be lifesaving. 