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Types of Clostridium

Clostridium is a genus of rod-shaped anaerobic (no use of oxygen) bacteria that form endospores when under stress. Endospores are a dormant form of the Clostridium, much more resistant to extreme heat, cold and strong chemicals.



Due to their capacity of self-protection, Clostridium has evolved to be responsible for diseases such as gas gangrene, tetanus, botulism and food poisoning, through the production of external toxins.

  1. Clostridium Perfringens

    • When entering the body through a wound, C. perfringens causes gas gangrene through its four toxins.The disease often attacks muscle extremities, where a supply of oxygen can be smaller, in cases of trauma or surgery.

      Gas gangrene is "marked by a high fever, brownish pus, gas bubbles under the skin, skin discoloration, and a foul odor," according to Todar's Online Textbook of Bacteriology. It is a rare form of gangrene--only 1,000 to 3,000 cases per year in the United States--but it can be lethal, if not treated immediately.

      If ingested, C. perfringens can cause food poisoning.

    Clostridium Tetani

    • These bacteria are motile and can be found in soil and feces. C. tetani causes tetanus, through the toxin tetanospasmin, according to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.

      Tetanus mortality rates vary from 40 to 78 percent, according to Todar's Online Textbook of Bacteriology. However, the disease can be prevented easily by vaccine.

    Clostridium Botulinum

    • The eight toxins produced by C. botulinum are among the most toxic for humans. Botulism results from the ingestion of contaminated foods. Endospores of C. botulinum can survive boiling water for more than one hour. Food from bulged containers are a source of contamination and should always be destroyed.

    Clostridium Sordellii

    • These rare species of Clostridium can cause endocarditis, pneumonia, arthritis and peritonitis. C. sordellii is often related to gynecologic infections.

    Clostridium Difficile

    • Clostridium difficile causes diarrhea, colitis and pseudomembranous colitis. These diseases result from the presence of the bacteria in the colon, usually after long periods of antibiotic treatment .

      C. difficile often attacks those who have undergone gastrointestinal surgery, need prolong use of antibiotics or are immunocompromised.

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