Clostridium

An important group of bacteria, whose common characteristics are sensitivity to oxygen and the ability to sporulate. Developmentally, it belongs to a very old group of bacteria with numerous links to archaebacteria.
 * Morphology: G + rods, variously long and wide, mostly straight.
 * Occurence: Widespread in nature, occur in soil, mud (ponds, rivers, sea coast), dust, vegetation. Many species saprophyte in the gut of vertebrates and humans.

Disease
Clostridia cause 3 types of disease:
 * Neurointoxcation (C. tetani, C. botulinum).
 * Necrotizing toxiinfection of soft tissues and intra-abdominal organs containing muscle (histotoxic clostridia).
 * Intestinal processes ( necrotizing enterocolitis, enterotoxemia, pseudomembranous enterocolitis and diarrhea ).

Shortcuts

 * Clostridium botulinum
 * Clostridium difficile
 * Clostridium novyi 
 * Clostridium tetani
 * Clostridium perfringens
 * Clostridium septicum 
 * Clostridium ulcerans

Related articles

 * Pseudomembranous enterocolitis
 * Botulism
 * Tetanus
 * Enterotoxins
 * Sporulation