gas gangrene (redirected from Gas-gangrene sera)

gangrene /gan·grene/ (gang´grēn) death of tissue, usually in considerable mass, generally with loss of vascular (nutritive) supply and followed by bacterial invasion and putrefaction.gang´renous

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diabetic gangrene  moist gangrene associated with diabetes.

dry gangrene  that occurring without subsequent bacterial decomposition, the tissues becoming dry and shriveled.

embolic gangrene  a condition following cutting off of blood supply by embolism.

gas gangrene  an acute, severe, painful condition in which the muscles and subcutaneous tissues become filled with gas and a serosanguineous exudate; due to infection of wounds by anaerobic bacteria, among which are various species of Clostridium.

moist gangrene  that associated with proteolytic decomposition resulting from bacterial action.

symmetric gangrene  gangrene of corresponding digits on both sides, due to vasomotor disturbances.

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gas gangrene

n.

A form of gangrene occurring in a wound infected with anaerobic bacteria, especially species of Clostridium, and characterized by the presence of gas in the affected tissue and constitutional septic symptoms.

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gas gangrene,

necrosis accompanied by gas bubbles in soft tissue after surgery or trauma. It is caused by anaerobic organisms, such as various species of Clostridium, particularly C. perfringens. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and tenderness of the wound area; moderate fever; tachycardia; and hypotension. The skin around the wound becomes necrotic and ruptures, revealing necrotic muscle. A characteristic finding is toxic delirium. Spontaneous gas gangrene is most often caused by the spread of C. septicum from the GI tract of colon cancer patients. Because of its aerotolerant nature, C. septicum can infect normal tissues. If untreated, gas gangrene is rapidly fatal. Prompt treatment, including excision of gangrenous tissue and IV administration of penicillin G, saves 80% of patients. The disease is prevented by proper wound care. Also called anaerobic myositis.

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gangrene (gang´grēn),

n the death of tissue en masse, usually the result of loss of blood supply, bacterial invasion, and subsequent putrefaction. E.g., gangrene of the pulp is total death and necrosis of the pulp. All types require the removal of the necrotic tissue before healing can progress.

gangrene, dry,

n a late complication of diabetes mellitus that is already complicated by arteriosclerosis in which the affected extremity becomes cold, dry, and shriveled and eventually turns black.

gangrene, gas,

n the necrosis accompanied by gas bubbles in soft tissue after trauma or surgery. It is caused by anaerobic microorganisms such as various species of
Clostridium, particularly
C. perfringens. If untreated, it is rapidly fatal.

gangrene, moist,

n a condition that may follow a crushing injury or an obstruction of blood flow by an embolism, tight bandages, or a tourniquet. This form of gangrene has an offensive odor, spreads rapidly, and may result in death in a few days.

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gangrene

the death of body tissue, generally in considerable mass, usually associated with loss of vascular (nutritive) supply, and followed by bacterial invasion and putrefaction. Although it usually affects the extremities, gangrene sometimes may involve the internal organs. Signs depend on the site and include fever, pain, darkening of the skin, and an unpleasant odor. If the condition involves an internal organ, it is generally attended by pain and collapse.

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dry gangrene

occurs gradually and results from slow reduction of the blood flow in the arteries. There is no subsequent bacterial decomposition; the tissues become dry and shriveled. It occurs only in the extremities, and usually because of gradual diminution of the blood supply. Signs include gradual shrinking of the tissue, which becomes cold and lacking in pulse, and turns first brown and then black. Usually a line of demarcation is formed where the gangrene stops, owing to the fact that the tissue above this line continues to receive an adequate supply of blood.

gas gangrene

results from dirty lacerated wounds infected by anaerobic bacteria, especially species of Clostridium. It is an acute, severe, painful condition in which muscles and subcutaneous tissues become filled with gas and a serosanguineous exudate.

internal gangrene

in strangulated hernia, a loop of intestine is caught in the bulge and its blood supply is cut off; gangrene may occur in that section of tissue. Thrombosis of the mesenteric artery may result in gangrene of a section of intestine. Gangrene can be a rare complication of lung abscess in pneumonia.

moist gangrene

caused by sudden stoppage of blood, resulting from burning by heat or acid, severe freezing, physical accident that destroys the tissue, a tourniquet that has been left on too long, or a clot or another embolism. At first, tissue affected by moist gangrene has the color of a bad bruise, smells atrociously, is swollen, and often blistered. The gangrene is likely to spread with great speed. Toxins are formed in the affected tissues and absorbed.

segmental gangrene

gangrene of a section of an organ, e.g. of part of an elephant's ear, as a result of sectional compromising of blood supply.

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gangrene

Pathology Tissue death, often due to loss of adequate blood supply, which is most common in the distal lower extremities or internal organs–eg, the large intestine; the gangrene type is a function of the environment or host

Gangrene types

Dry gangrene A condition caused by chronic occlusion that slowly progresses to severe tissue atrophy and mummification, often associated with peripheral vascular disease, eg DM, atherosclerosis

Gas gangrene A condition most common in open or dirty wounds infected by gas-producing gram-positive anaerobes, eg Clostridium perfringens, C histolytica, C septicum, C novyi, and C fallax which release histolytic enzymes, eg collagenase, fibrinolysin, hyaluronidase, and lecithinase

Wet gangrene A condition caused by relatively acute vascular occlusion, eg burns, freezing, crush injuries, and thromboembolism, resulting in liquefactive necrosis, causing bleb and bullae formation with violaceous discoloration