What Researchers Did
Researchers retrospectively reviewed patients with Clostridium perfringens infections treated in Christchurch, New Zealand, over a 14-year period ending in 1984.
What They Found
Out of 46 documented cases of Clostridium perfringens infections, 21 patients died. Among the 29 patients who received hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy, 9 died, while 12 of the 17 patients who did not receive HBO therapy died. This suggests a lower mortality rate for those treated with HBO (31%) compared to those without (71%).
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection as it was conducted in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Study Limitations
As a retrospective review, this study is limited by potential selection bias, confounding factors, and its observational nature, which prevents definitive conclusions about causality.