2. An anaerobic bacterium of a large genus of gram-
positive, spore-forming bacteria that includes many
pathogenic species. They are commonly found in soil,
water and sewage, and some are found in GI
(gastrointestinal) tract of humans and animals.
Vegetative cells are rod shaped and arranged in pairs
or short chains. It belong to the family of
Clostridiaceae. The majority of species are obligate
anaerobes; however, some species can grow under
aerobic conditions or are aerotolerant.
3. CLASSIFICATIONS
o f
C L O S T R I D I A
1
2
3
4
Clostridium sordellii
Clostridium perfringens
Clostridioides difficile
Clostridium botulinum
5 Clostridium tetani
4. A rare anaerobic, gram-
positive, spore-forming
rod with peritrichous
flagella that is capable of
causing pneumonia,
endocarditis, arthritis,
peritonitis, and
myonecrosis. Order: Clostridia
Phylum: Firmicutes
Family: Clostridiaceae
Rank: Species
Domain: Bacteria
Clostridium sordellii
1
5. Causes of C. sordellii Infection
C. sordellii infection is considered to result from
childbirth, abortion, and/or gynecological
procedures. Although many strains of C. sordellii
are nonpathogenic, virulent toxin-producing strains
exist.
Symptoms
• Tachycardia
• Hypotension
• Leukocytosis
• Hemoconcentration
• Weakness,
• Vomiting
• Abdominal Pain
• Diarrhea
How it's treated?
Early recognition. Aggressive resuscitation
from shock. Immediate surgical debridement
with hysterectomy. Administration of an
antimicrobial active against C sordellii,
including. Penicillin. Ampicillin. Macrolide.
Clindamycin. Tetracycline. Metronidazole.
6. Clostridium perfringens bacteria
are one of the most common
causes of foodborne illness.
Mostly found in the intestines of
humans and many animals and
is present in soil and areas
contaminated by human or
animal feces.
Species: C. perfringens
Order: Clostridiales
Class: Clostridia
Genus: Clostridium
Family: Clostridiaceae
Phylum: Firmicutes
Kingdom: Bacteria
Clostridium perfringens
2
7. Causes of C. perfringens food poisoning
When you eat improperly cooked and stored foods.
Normally, bacteria are found on food after cooking, and
these bacteria can multiply and cause C. perfringens food
poisoning if the foods sit out and cool before refrigerating.
Commonly infected foods include meats, meat products,
and gravy.
Symptoms
• Intense Abdominal
• Cramps Watery Diarrhea
How it's treated?
You treat C. perfringens food poisoning by
managing any complications until it passes.
Dehydration caused by diarrhea and vomiting is the
most common complication. Do not use medicines,
including antibiotics and other treatments, unless
your doctor recommends them.
8. C. difficile, or C. diff, is Gram-
positive species of spore-forming
bacteria. Clostridioides spp. are
anaerobic, motile bacteria,
ubiquitous in nature and
especially prevalent in soil. Its
vegetative cells are rod-shaped,
pleomorphic, and occur in pairs
or short chains.
Scientific name:
Clostridioides difficile
Higher classification:
Clostridioides
Family:
Peptostreptococcaceae
Order: Clostridiales
Phylum: Firmicutes
Rank: Species
Domain: Bacteria
Clostridioides difficile
3
9. Causes of C. difficile Infection
Colitis results from a disturbance of the normal bacterial
flora of the colon, colonization by C difficile, and the
release of toxins that cause mucosal inflammation and
damage. Antibiotic therapy is the key factor that alters the
colonic flora
Symptoms
• Watery diarrhea three or more
times a day for more than one
day
• Mild abdominal cramping and
tenderness.
How it's treated?
Antibiotics are the mainstay to treat C. difficile
infection. Commonly used antibiotics includes
Vancomycin.
10. A gram-positive, rod-shaped,
anaerobic, spore-forming, motile
bacterium with the ability to
produce the neurotoxin
botulinum.
Species: C. botulinum
Phylum: Firmicutes
Family: Clostridiaceae
Order: Clostridiales
Class: Clostridia
Genus: Clostridium
Clostridium botulinum
4
11. Causes of Botulism
Caused by a toxin that attacks the body's nerves and
causes difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis, and even
death. This toxin is made by clostridium botulinum.
Symptoms
• Difficulty swallowing
• Muscle weakness
• Double vision
• Drooping eyelids
How it's treated?
Doctors treat botulism with a drug called an
antitoxin, which prevents the toxin from causing
any more harm. Antitoxin does not heal the damage
the toxin has already done. Depending on how
severe your symptoms are, you may need to stay in
the hospital for weeks or even months before you
are well enough to go home.
• Blurry vision
• Slurred speech
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty moving the eyes.
12. A common soil bacterium and
the causative agent of tetanus.
Vegetative cells of C. tetani are
usually rod-shaped and up to 2.5
μm long, but they become
enlarged and tennis racket- or
drumstick-shaped when forming
spores.
Species: C. tetani
Genus: Clostridium
Order: Clostridiales
Domain: Bacteria
Phylum: Firmicutes
Family: Clostridiaceae
C l o s t r i d i u m t e t a n i
5
13. What causes tetanus?
Tetanus is an infection caused by a bacterium called
Clostridium tetani. Spores of tetanus bacteria are
everywhere in the environment, including soil, dust, and
manure. The spores develop into bacteria when they enter
the body.
Symptoms
How it's treated?
Tetanus is typically treated with a variety
of therapies and medications, such as:
• Cleaning the wound
• Antibiotics e.G. Penicillin
• Tetanus immune globulin (TIG)
• Muscle relaxers
• Tetanus vaccine
• Difficulty swallowing
• Spasms
• Stiffness in various muscles,
especially those in your jaw,
abdomen, chest, back, and neck.
14. 3
1 2
Asymmetric septation
divides the cell,
generating small
compartment and
mother cell.
4
The mother cell
engulfs the small
compartment
(forespore).
Formation of the
spore cortex and
coat layers.
Lyses of the mother
cell and the release
of the spore.
15.
16. If proper conditions are met, a clostridium
spore will germinate into its vegetative
form. This vegetative cell, will enter its
growth phase and replicate by binary
fission. After its growth, the bacteria will
then start its spore formation, producing
solvents in the case of C. acetobutylicum or
toxin in the case of C. perfringens. The
spore will then mature and the cycle will
be completed at the germination of this
spore.