Which bacterium causes gas gangrene most commonly through toxins that destroy muscle tissue?

Clostridium perfringens most commonly causes gas gangrene through toxins that destroy muscle tissue.

It is an anaerobic, spore-forming bacterium found in soil and in the intestinal tracts of humans and animals. When introduced into damaged, oxygen-poor tissue, it can multiply rapidly and produce toxins that injure cell membranes and break down tissue.

The resulting infection, called clostridial myonecrosis, can progress quickly. Gas produced during metabolism may collect in the affected tissue, producing swelling and the crackling sensation known as crepitus. Urgent surgical treatment and antibiotics are essential in suspected cases.

Clostridium perfringens also causes a common form of food poisoning when large numbers of cells are eaten in contaminated food. That intestinal illness is different from gas gangrene, even though the same species is involved. Cooking can kill vegetative cells, but spores may survive and multiply if cooked food is cooled or stored improperly.