[Toxin-infections and toxin-related diseases due to Clostridia other than Clostridium difficile ].

Clostridia cause severe diseases. Tetanus is rare in Switzerland because of vaccine coverage and the application of guidelines for the management of contaminated wounds. Tetanus requires wound debridement and the administration of antibiotics and anti-tetanus immune. Besides gastroenteritis, infections due to C. perfringens most often require surgery, in addition to antibiotic treatment with penicillin and clindamycin. Botulism is a rare disease caused by a toxin produced by C. botulinum that causes flaccid paralysis. The clinical syndrome must be recognized early in order to administer the antitoxin and improve the prognosis. The other, rarer species of Clostridia require surgical and antibiotic management, but their prognosis remains poor.