Fournier’s gangrene /fo̅o̅rnyāz″/ [Jean A. Fournier, French syphilographer, 1832–1914] , an infective gangrene of the scrotum or vulva caused by an anaerobic hemolytic strain of streptococcus. This form of gangrene is associated with diabetes. It occurs after local trauma, operative procedures, underlying urinary tract disease, or a distant acute inflammatory process. It is relatively rare in the United States. Infective agents are Bacteroides fragilis and aerobic Escherichia coli. Also called polymicrobial necrotizing fasciitis.
