It is primary gangrene / There will be massive destruction
of tissues with suspended putrefaction and gas formation . The organisms
themselves are responsible for the death of the tissue . Gas gangrene is caused
by mixed type of infection .
Organism responsible for death of tissue ---
i)
Saccharolytic group – The organism of this group are
highly pathogenic to man and responsible for local tissue damage . They will
liberate toxin . The toxin can haemolyse R.B.C and cause shock and peripheral
failure . the organisms like Clostridium welchi , Clostridium septicum ,
Clostridium oedematiens are responsible for death of tissue and putrefaction .
ii)
Proteolytic group – The organisms like Clostridium
sporogenes , v histolyticum , Clostridium fallax are responsible for much of the proteolytic
activity .
iii)
Slightly proteolytic group - The organisms like
Clostridium tetani , Clostridium tertium are in this group .
iv)
Aerobic group – The organisms like Streptococcus
haemolyticus and Staphylococcus aureus are in this group .
Predisposing factor of Gas gangrene
The organisms
responsible for gas gangrene prefer anaerobic condition for teir proper growth
and multiplication . The factors are –
i)
massive laceration of tissue with extravasation blood
due to injury
ii)
When nutrient vessels will be injured .
iii)
Circulatory obstruction due to tight bandage or
prolonged use of tourniquet or throttling of vessels .
iv)
Presence of foreign body inside the injury part . The
foreign bodies are dirty splinters , rags , silica , calcium , fragments of
bones , bullet , gun powder .
v)
Circulatory obstruction due to presence of blood clot ,
necrotic tissue debris
vi)
Due to presence of aerobic bacteria like Streptococcus
, taphylococcus , anaerobic condition will arise . In this condition , the
spores of the organisms germinate into vegetative form or active form .