Definition: A severe condition resulting from bacteria invading healthy muscle from adjacent traumatized muscle or soft tissue. The infection originates in a wound contaminated with bacteria of the genus CLOSTRIDIUM. C. perfringens accounts for the majority of cases (over eighty percent), while C. noyvi, C. septicum, and C. histolyticum cause most of the other cases.
usually caused by Clostridium perfringens but all C. perfringens infections need not be gas gangrene
Other names Gas Gangrenes; Gangrenes, Gas; Gangrene, Gas
