Gas-producing clostridial and nonclostridial infections

Clostridial infections have always been treated promptly and aggressively on the basis of history and Gram's strain. We believe that nonclostridial infections with similar fulminating, septic courses also should receive as prompt and radical treatment and perhaps more so, as hyperbaric oxygen therapy is of far less benefit in a nonclostridial infection. It is particularly important to treat the high risk, obese, patient with diabetes and an infection of the perineum or groin promptly and aggressively if the current, high morality is to be decreased.