[Spontaneous Clostridium infection--often a post-mortem diagnosis].

Infections with Clostridium species occur very seldom but then often as a lethal disease. They are mainly associated with trauma, surgery and malignancies, but can also occur with dermal and intestinal infections, burns and septic abortion. The development of gas gangrene is insidious and progression is very rapid. So it may stay unrealized until death and is often diagnosed only at autopsy.