[Necrotizing enterocolitis: a historical and current review]

Enteritis necroticans, locally called "Darmbrand", is a severe and life threatening infectious disease which was epidemic in Northern Germany after World War II. Darmbrand had a limited appearance, occurring only for a few years. In Lübeck many cases were diagnosed in 1946/1948 and the book "Darmbrand, Enteritis necroticans" was published in 1949 by clinicians and pathologists. Enteritis necroticans is also known as a tropical cause of bloody diarrhea and is caused by Clostridium perfringens Type C (type beta-toxin). The disease is related to pig feasts in Papua New Guinea. Although necrotizing enterocolitis is now a rather rare disease we must be aware of the appearance of this fulminant entity. This paper represents a review on the historic and current aspects of enteritis necroticans and discusses the epidemiology, pathogenesis and treatment of this disease.