Which Clostridium species is most commonly recovered from gas gangrene?

• A. perfringens
• B. bifermentans
• C. sordellii
• D. difficile

Answer: (A)

Gas gangrene, or clostridial myonecrosis, is classically caused by Clostridium perfringens. This organism is the most commonly recovered species in gas gangrene because it is highly prevalent in the environment and in the human gut, and it thrives in devitalized, anaerobic tissue. Its alpha-toxin (lecithinase) damages cell membranes, driving rapid myonecrosis, while gas is produced through fermentation in the anaerobic setting, giving the characteristic crepitus. Other Clostridium species can cause soft tissue infections, but they are far less common culprits in gas gangrene. Clostridium difficile is primarily associated with antibiotic-related colitis, not gas gangrene.