Clostridium perfringens

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Clostridium perfringens

Clostridium perfringens (pronounced klos-TRID-ee-um per-FRING-ens) is a bacterium that is one of many species of Clostridia that can cause disease in humans and animals.

Etymology

The name Clostridium perfringens comes from the Greek kloster (meaning spindle, due to the shape of the bacterium) and perfringens (from Latin, meaning breaking through, due to the bacterium's ability to rapidly spread and destroy tissue).

Description

Clostridium perfringens is an anaerobic, gram-positive, spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium. It is found in many environmental sources as well as in the intestines of humans and animals. C. perfringens is the third most common cause of food poisoning in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Diseases

C. perfringens can produce various toxins that are responsible for several diseases in humans and animals, including:

Treatment

Treatment for C. perfringens infections often involves antibiotic therapy, and in severe cases, surgical removal of dead tissue. Vaccines are also available for certain animal species to protect against diseases caused by C. perfringens.

Prevention

Prevention of C. perfringens infection is primarily through proper food handling and cooking. In the case of wound infections, prompt and proper cleaning and treatment of wounds can help prevent infection.

External links

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