Clostridium

Clostridium is a genus of Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria that are obligate anaerobes and capable of forming endospores. The spores render many species highly resistant to heat, desiccation, and disinfectants, aiding persistence in soil, sediment, and the gastrointestinal tracts of animals and humans. Most Clostridium species are anaerobic, some are motile, and a few have industrial or environmental relevance. The genus comprises over 100 named species, though taxonomic revisions have moved some organisms to other genera, such as Clostridioides difficile.

Several Clostridium species are clinically significant pathogens. Notable examples include C. botulinum (botulism toxin) causing flaccid paralysis; C. tetani (tetanus toxin) causing painful muscular contractions; C. perfringens producing alpha-toxin responsible for gas gangrene and food poisoning; and C. difficile (Clostridioides difficile) causing antibiotic-associated diarrhea and colitis. Other species can cause wound infections, myonecrosis, and foodborne illness. Toxins are the major virulence factors; they are often enzymes or neurotoxins that disrupt neural transmission or tissue integrity.

Diagnosis relies on culture under anaerobic conditions, detection of toxins in clinical or food samples, and molecular assays. Treatment depends on the infection and may include antitoxins (e.g., botulism or tetanus), wound debridement, antibiotics such as metronidazole, penicillin, or vancomycin, and supportive care. For C. difficile infections, oral vancomycin or fidaxomicin and fecal microbiota transplantation may be employed. Prevention focuses on proper food preservation and canning to prevent botulism, wound care to prevent infection, antibiotic stewardship to reduce C. difficile risk, and vaccination for tetanus via the tetanus toxoid.

Beyond disease, certain Clostridium species are exploited in industry for solvent production (acetone-butanol-ethanol fermentation) and other biotechnological applications. The taxonomic status of some strains is under revision, with some historically classified as Clostridium moved to new genera.