Clostridium
Clostridium
Clostridium (pronounced: klos-TRID-ee-um) is a genus of Gram-positive bacteria. This genus includes several significant human pathogens, including the causative agents of botulism and tetanus.
Etymology
The name Clostridium is derived from the Greek word "κλωστήρ" (klōstēr), which means "spindle". This is in reference to the shape of the bacteria, which often resembles a spindle used in weaving.
Classification
Clostridium belongs to the phylum Firmicutes, class Clostridia, order Clostridiales, and family Clostridiaceae. There are over 100 species within this genus, including Clostridium difficile, Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium botulinum, and Clostridium tetani.
Characteristics
Clostridium species are anaerobic, spore-forming bacteria. They are capable of producing endospores, a type of dormant cell that is resistant to harsh conditions. This allows them to survive in environments where other bacteria cannot.
Pathogenesis
Several species of Clostridium are pathogenic to humans. Clostridium difficile is a common cause of hospital-acquired infections, often resulting in severe diarrhea. Clostridium perfringens is a common cause of food poisoning. Clostridium botulinum produces a neurotoxin that causes botulism, a serious and potentially fatal illness. Clostridium tetani produces a toxin that causes tetanus, a serious disease characterized by muscle stiffness and spasms.
Treatment
Treatment for infections caused by Clostridium species typically involves antibiotics. In some cases, such as with Clostridium difficile infections, a fecal microbiota transplant may be used to restore the balance of bacteria in the gut.
Related Terms
- Anaerobic bacteria
- Endospore
- Gram-positive bacteria
- Botulism
- Tetanus
- Antibiotics
- Fecal microbiota transplant
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Clostridium
- Wikipedia's article - Clostridium
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski