
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Gangrene pathophysiology
Introduction
Overview
Overview
There are three types of gangrene and they have different pathophysiology. A reduced arterial perfusion is observed in dry gangrene which results in the compensatory arteriolar dilation , which eventually results in distal edema, and damage of the endothelial tissue. [1] Saprogenic microorganisms such as Clostridium perfringens and Bacillus fusiformis are the most common organisms observed in wet gangrene which are responsible for infecting the tissues, thereby producing a putrid smell and edema. [2] Group A Steptococcus and exotoxins from Clostridium perfringens are responsible for the local and systemic infection found in gas gangrene.[3]
Pathophysiology
Pathophysiology
There are three types of gangrene and they have different pathophysiology.
Dry Gangrene
- A reduced arterial perfusion is observed in dry gangrene which results in the compensatory arteriolar dilation, which eventually results in distal edema, and damage of the endothelial tissue. [1]
- It is a type of coagulative necrosis which occurs in ischemic tissue. Closing
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Wet Gangrene
- Saprogenic microorganisms such as Clostridium perfringens and Bacillus fusiformis are the most common organisms observed in wet gangrene. They are responsible for infecting the tissues, thereby producing a putrid smell and edema. [2]
- The pooling and accumulation of blood in the affected tissue promotes proliferation of bacteria.
- An edematous, putrid, soft, and dark tissue is observed.[2]
Gas Gangrene
- Group A Steptococcus and exotoxins from Clostridium perfringens are responsible for the local and systemic infection found in gas gangrene. [3]
- Clostridium perfringens produces a Clostridium– lecithinase called Alpha-toxin that contributes to tissue necrosis and systemic hemolysis.[4][5]
- Rapid progression to shock is usually observed.
References
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 “StatPearls”. 2022. PMID 32809387 Check
|pmid=value (help). - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Al Wahbi A (2018). “Autoamputation of diabetic toe with dry gangrene: a myth or a fact?”. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 11: 255–264. doi:10.2147/DMSO.S164199. PMC 5987754. PMID 29910628.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lehner PJ, Powell H (1991). “Gas gangrene”. BMJ. 303 (6796): 240–2. doi:10.1136/bmj.303.6796.240. PMC 1670510. PMID 1884064.
- ↑ Yang Z, Hu J, Qu Y, Sun F, Leng X, Li H; et al. (2015). “Interventions for treating gas gangrene”. Cochrane Database Syst Rev (12): CD010577. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010577.pub2. PMC 8652263 Check
|pmc=value (help). PMID 26631369. - ↑ Sakurai J, Nagahama M, Oda M (2004). “Clostridium perfringens alpha-toxin: characterization and mode of action”. J Biochem. 136 (5): 569–74. doi:10.1093/jb/mvh161. PMID 15632295.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Â ; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Edzel Lorraine Co, D.M.D., M.D.
