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PROGRESSIVE BACTERIAL SYNERGISTIC GANGRENE, WITH REPORT OF A CASE
Author(s) -
Bonnin N. J.
Publication year - 1944
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.111
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 0004-8682
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-2197.1944.tb07086.x
Subject(s) - medicine , gangrene , empyema , penicillin , streptococcus , lesion , anaerobic infection , staphylococcus aureus , anaerobic exercise , microbiology and biotechnology , staphylococcus epidermidis , surgery , staphylococcus , pyoderma , antibiotics , dermatology , bacteria , biology , physiology , genetics
Summary A case of progressive bacterial synergistic gangrene which followed drainage of an empyema has been described. Bacterial investigation showed the presence of a Staphylococcus aureus and an anaerobic micro‐streptococcus. Animal inoculation tests showed the organisms to be individually innocuous to guinea‐pigs, but pathogenic in combination, though in the animals actual gangrene did not occur. The ulcerative lesion was cured by wide excision followed by skin grafting. The staphylococcus and anaerobic micro‐streptococcus persisted in the chronic empyema. Exhibition of penicillin resulted in elimination of the anaerobic micro‐streptococcus. bacterial synergistic gangrene has been discussed, and the differential diagnosis between this lesion and chronic undermining burrowing ulcer is stressed. It is suggested that for any future case penicillin therapy should be tried before excision of the ulcer is undertaken.