Clostridium perfringens septicemia following cesarean section.

A Clostridium perfringens infection is described in an 18-year-old primigravida following cesarean section at 43 weeks' gestation. Despite the ubiquitous distribution of these organisms, such infections are rarely encountered in obstetrics. Characteristics of these bacteria and appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are presented. Despite the infrequency of this potentially lethal complication, survival depends on early diagnosis and aggressive treatment.