Infection
Clostridium perfringens is the most common bacterial agent for gas gangrene, which is necrosis, putrefaction of tissues, and gas production. It is caused primarily by Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin. The gases form bubbles in muscle (crepitus) and the characteristic smell in decomposing tissue. After rapid and destructive local spread (which can take hours), systemic spread of bacteria and bacterial toxins may result in death. This is a problem in major trauma and in military contexts. C. perfringens grows readily on blood agar plate in anaerobic conditions and often produces a double zone of beta hemolysis.
Read more about this topic: Clostridium Perfringens
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—Jacob Bronowski (1908–1974)