Clostridium septicum
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![Patient with right leg gas gangrene. The right leg is edematous and discolored with fluid-filled bullae.](/Images/godic/202501/05/Gas_gangrene3725.jpg")
![Solved crystal structure of aerolysin. Green=D1, Purple=D2, Cyan=D3, Yellow=D4, Orange=TMD, and Red=PropeptideProposed crystal structure of Alpha-toxin based on the structure of aerolysin. Purple=D1, Cyan=D2, Yellow=D3, Orange=TMD, Red=Propeptide](/Images/godic/202501/05/ModelofAerolysin3725.jpg")
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Clostridium septicum is a gram positive, spore forming, obligate anaerobic bacterium.
Clostridium septicum can cause gas gangrene, but unlike other Clostridium species like Clostridium perfringens, no trauma is necessary at the site of the infection. It is thought that the infection is established by hematogenous spread from the gastrointestinal tract. Gas gangrene caused by Clostridium septicum is associated with colorectal cancer and other defects of the bowel.