How do you identify Clostridium?

Virtually all of the members of the genus, except Clostridium perfringens, are motile with peritrichous flagellae and form oval or spherical endospores that may distend the cell. They may be saccharolytic or proteolytic and are usually catalase negative. Many species produce potent exotoxins.

What are the characteristics of Clostridium?

CHARACTERISTICS: Clostridium is a genus of gram-positive, spore-forming bacteria belonging to the family Clostridiaceae. Vegetative cells are rod shaped and arranged in pairs or short chains. The majority of species are obligate anaerobes; however, some species can grow under aerobic conditions or are aerotolerant.

How do you identify Clostridium perfringens?

C. perfringens is provisionally identified as a nonmotile, Gram-positive bacillus which produces black colonies in TSC agar, reduces nitrates to nitrites, produces acid and gas from lactose, and liquefies gelatin within 48 h.

What are the various species of Clostridium?

Clostridium species

• Botulism (C. botulinum)
• Colitis (C. difficile)
• Tetanus (C. tetani)
• Septic abortion (C. sordellii)
• Gas gangrene (C. perfringens, C. novyi, C. septicum, C. sordellii, C. histolyticum)
• Clostridial food poisoning (C. perfringens)

How can you distinguish bacillus from Clostridium?

Microbiologists distinguish Clostridium from Bacillus by the following features:

1. Clostridium grows in anaerobic conditions; Bacillus grows in aerobic conditions.
2. Clostridium forms bottle-shaped endospores; Bacillus forms oblong endospores.

Where is Clostridium Sporogenes found?

Commonly found in soil, marine sediment and mammalian intestinal tracts, these gram-positive bacilli are known to cause infections ranging from cellulitis to septicemia. Isolates that are identified by clinical microbiology laboratories include Clostridium perfrigens species in 20–40% of cases.

Where is Clostridium found in the body?

Clostridium, genus of rod-shaped, usually gram-positive bacteria, members of which are found in soil, water, and the intestinal tracts of humans and other animals.

Is Clostridium good or bad?

It also has some “bad” or dangerous bacteria. Clostridium difficile (C. diff) is part of the normal bacteria found in some people’s intestines or colons. Fortunately, when you are healthy and are not taking antibiotics, the millions of good bacteria in your system keep the C.

What food is Clostridium perfringens found in?

C. perfringens can be found on raw meat and poultry, in the intestines of animals, and in the environment. These bacteria make spores, which act like protective coatings that help the bacteria survive.

What kills Clostridium perfringens?

The Organism: Clostridium perfringens are anaerobic bacteria that can produce spores. The bacteria can exist as a vegetative cell or in the dormant spore form in food. Thorough cooking (140°F) will kill the vegetative cells, but spores may survive.

What are the other name of Clostridium perfringens?

Clostridium perfringens (formerly known as C. welchii, or Bacillus welchii) is a Gram-positive, rod-shaped, anaerobic, spore-forming pathogenic bacterium of the genus Clostridium.

What disease is caused by Clostridium perfringens?

Clostridium perfringens bacteria are one of the most common causes of foodborne illness (food poisoning). CDC estimates these bacteria cause nearly 1 million illnesses in the United States every year. C. perfringens can be found on raw meat and poultry, in the intestines of animals, and in the environment.

What are the characteristics of the genus Clostridium?

Genus Characteristics. The Clostridium species are large (0.3–1.3 × 3–10 µm), Gram-positive, anaerobic, endospore-producing rods (the spores usually bulge the mother cell).

What is the national standard method for clostridia?

This National Standard Method (NSM) describes the identification of Clostridium species. There are many species of clostridia, which may be found naturally in animal faeces and the environment. Only species associated with humans will be discussed in this NSM.

How many species of Clostridium are there in the world?

There are over 200 Clostridium species of which about 14 are of veterinary importance. Most of the pathogenic species produce one or more exotoxins of varying potency.

How are Clostridia different from other Gram negative bacteria?

These differences have also been identified in their genetic makeup where the G+C content range from about 21 to 54 percent. While some species in this genus may appear to be Gram-negative, Clostridia are generally Gram-positive organisms that are largely described as spore-forming, anaerobic bacteria.