infections
Overview of Clostridial Infections
Clostridial necrotizing enteritis, neutropenic enterocolitis, and neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis
Clostridial necrotizing enteritisis also called enteritis necroticans or pigbel. This infection is caused byClostridium perfringensand typically affects the small intestine (primarily the jejunum). The infection ranges from mild to severe and can be fatal if not treated promptly. This rare infection occurs mostly in places where people consume low-protein diets, such as in the hinterlands of New Guinea and parts of Africa, Central and South America, and Asia. Symptoms vary from mild diarrhea to severe abdominal pain, vomiting, bloody stool, Sepsis and Septic Shock , and sometimes death within 24 hours. Diagnosis of clostridial necrotizing enteritis is based on symptoms and stool tests. Treatment of clostridial necrotizing enteritis is with antibiotics. People who have very severe infections may need surgery. Neutropenic enterocolitis (typhlitis)is a similar life-threatening infection that develops in the beginning of the large intestine (cecum) of people who have a low white blood cell count (for example, people who have leukemia or are receiving chemotherapy for cancer). People have fever, abdominal pain, bleeding in the digestive tract, and diarrhea. The diagnosis is based on symptoms, the white blood cell count, imaging tests of the abdomen, and blood and stool tests. Treatment is with antibiotics and sometimes surgery. Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) None 