Terms: darmbrand ("burnt intestine" in Germany), pig-bel (in Papau New Guinea)
Pathogens: Clostridium perfringens Types A and C
Risk factors:
(1) consumption of poorly cooked meat
(2) protein malnutrition or recent weight loss
Clinical findings:
(1) The patient complains of abdominal discomfort with tenderness on palpation and distention.
(2) The patient may appear toxic or may be afebrile with a normal WBC count.
(3) Patients have a hemorrhagic necrotizing jejunitis with or without extension into the ileum and colon.
(4) Thrombosis of the mesenteric and/or portal veins may be present with C. perfringens Type A.
(5) There is a high mortality rate.
(6) Clostridium perfringens and/or its toxins can be demonstrated (on histology, by culture, by toxin assay).
