Most SSIs are caused by the patient’s own bacterial flora. The most common microorganisms causing surgical site infection are Staphylococcus aureus (20 percent), Coagulase negative staphylococcus (14 percent) and enterococcus (12 percent).

How common is Clostridium perfringens?

Clostridium perfringens bacteria are one of the most common causes of foodborne illness (food poisoning). CDC estimates these bacteria cause nearly 1 million illnesses in the United States every year.

What is the mortality rate of Clostridium perfringens?

Clostridium perfringens, the third most common cause of foodborne illness in the United States (1), most often causes a self-limited, diarrheal disease lasting 12–24 hours. Fatalities are very rare, occurring in <0.03% of cases (1).

What is surgical site infection rate?

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are serious operative complications that occur in approximately 2% of surgical procedures and account for some 20% of health care-associated infections.

What is the percentage of surgical site infections?

SSIs occur in 2% to 4% of all patients undergoing inpatient surgical procedures. Although most infections are treatable with antibiotics, SSIs remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality after surgery.

How does Clostridium cause disease?

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. Gas gangrene can develop… read more . Symptoms include pain and fever.

Is Clostridium perfringens a nosocomial infection?

We concluded that C. perfringens caused nosocomial diarrhea one-tenth as frequently as C. difficile did in this district, and that strains causing nosocomial diarrhea might have already been acquired in the community.

What is the death rate of Campylobacter?

Campylobacter species infection is generally associated with mild illness and only occasionally is fatal [10]. The mortality rate associated with symptomatic Campylobacter species infection has been estimated at 24 deaths per 10,000 culture-confirmed cases, or 200 deaths per year in the United States [3].

Why are surgical site infections a problem?

Surgical site infection is one of the more common causes of post-operative morbidity. Such infections contribute to prolonged recovery, delayed discharge and increasing costs to both patients and the health service.

What is Clostridium perfringens?

Clostridium perfringens is an anaerobic Gram-positive spore-forming bacillus that is associated with acute gastrointestinal infection ranging in severity from diarrhea to necrotizing enterocolitis and myonecrosis in humans.

What are the complications of C perfringens food poisoning?

Complications, including dehydration, may occur in severe cases. How is C. perfringens diagnosed and treated? Laboratories diagnose C. perfringens food poisoning by detecting a type of bacterial toxin in feces or by tests to determine the number of bacteria in the feces.

What is the best way to prevent C perfringens infection?

Cook and keep food at the correct temperature. Food, especially roasts of beef or poultry, should be cooked to a safe internal temperatureExternal, and then kept at 140°F (60°C) or warmer or 40°F (4.4°C) or cooler. These temperatures prevent the growth of C. perfringens spores that might have survived cooking.

What are the diagnostic criteria for Enterococcus perfringens infection?

A count of at least 106 C. perfringens spores per gram of stool within 48 hours of when illness began is required to diagnose infection. Oral rehydration or, in severe cases, intravenous fluids and electrolyte replacement can be used to prevent or treat dehydration.