Clostridial Myositis After Parenteral Injections

Abstract

Clostridial myositis following parenteral administration of medication is a serious complication with a high mortality. In most cases, the true nature of the disease is not suspected early, and adequate therapy is delayed. Organisms may be introduced with a needle from overlying skin that has not been adequately prepared. Medication, needle, syringe, personnel, or other fomites might harbor organisms and contaminate the procedure. Trauma from injection can set up a<i>locus minoris resistentiae</i>where circulating anaerobic organisms may colonize. Confirmation of diagnosis by needle aspiration of the area is encouraged. Thirteen cases have been previously published in the American literature; five additional cases are reported here.