Clostridium perfringens Food Poisoning
Clostridium perfringens food poisoning results from eating food contaminated by the bacterium Clostridium perfringens; once in the small intestine, the bacterium releases a toxin that often causes diarrhea.
Some strains cause a mild to moderate disease that gets better without treatment; other strains cause severe gastroenteritis that can damage the small intestine and sometimes lead to death. Contaminated meat is usually responsible for outbreaks of Clostridium perfringens food poisoning. Some strains cannot be destroyed by cooking the food thoroughly; others can.
Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
The gastroenteritis is usually mild, although it can cause abdominal pain, abdominal expansion (distention) from gas, severe diarrhea, dehydration, and a severe decrease in blood pressure (shock). A doctor usually suspects the diagnosis when a local outbreak of the disease has occurred. The diagnosis is confirmed by testing contaminated food for Clostridium perfringens. The person is given fluids and is encouraged to rest.
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