gas gangrene

a form of GANGRENE that occurs when wounds are infected with soil BACTERIA of the genus Clostridium. The bacterium produces TOXINS that cause decay and putrefaction with the generation of gas. The gas spreads into muscles and CONNECTIVE TISSUE , causing swelling, pain, fever and possibly toxic DELIRIUM , and if untreated the condition quickly leads to death. Some of these bacteria are anaerobic (i.e. they exist without air or oxygen) hence surgery, oxidizing agents and PENICILLIN can all be used in treatment.