Comparative efficacy of antibiotics in treating experimental Clostridium septicum infection

•Clostridium septicum displays mild resistance to vancomycin in vitro.•Penicillin, clindamycin and tetracycline protect mice during C. septicum infection.•Vancomycin is only semi-protective against C. septicum infection.•First in-vivo evidence for antibiotic treatment of C. septicum infection.•Data corroborate the current guidelines of the Infectious Disease Society of America for treating C. septicum infection.