Deep wound (Toe): Clostridium perfringens – Shipped May 16, 2016
HISTORY
A simulated deep toe wound sample collected from a 50-year old diabetic patient with a possible gangrenous toe was sent to category A laboratories. Anaerobic culture was required.
Participants were expected to isolate and report Clostridium perfringens.
MAIN EDUCATIONAL POINTS from M161-4
- The double zone hemolysis and colonial morphology on anaerobic blood agar, Brucella agar or PEA agar is suggestive of C. perfringens.
- While anaerobic gram positive bacilli is technically correct, correlation of this result with a Gram-stain result that has gram positive rods suggestive of Clostridium would provide the clinician with valuable information that could save the patient’s limb or life.
CMPT is a program of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C. Canada.