Shock séptico asociado a gangrena gaseosa - Miositis necrotizante por Clostridium.

Abstract

Introduction: Gas gangrene, also known as clostridial myonecrosis, is an acute, potentially life-threatening infection of muscular and soft tissues caused by pathogens in the Clostridium genus. Clinical case: We present the case of spontaneous gas gangrene caused by C. Perfringens in a patient with no history of trauma. Discussion: The treatment of gas gangrene consists of prompt surgical debridement combined with antibiotic therapy. Emergency surgical debridement is especially important for patient survival, preserving the limb and preventing complications. If C. Perfringens is confirmed, the antibiotic therapy should consist of penicillin (3-4 million units intravenously every 4h) with clindamycin (900 mg intravenously every 8h) or tetracycline (500 mg intravenously every 6h). Even when we encounter a patient with no history of trauma, gastrointestinal pathology, neutropenia or immunodeficiencies, we should quickly suspect this diagnosis when there is extreme pain in a limb, with or without fever. This suspicion is important due to the need for rapid and aggressive treatment to save the limb and life of the patient and to prevent complications.