CLOSTRIDIUM Flashcards
Most commonly causes myonecrosis
C. perfringens
Clostridum spp.
Specie
C. perfringens, C. novyi, C.
histolyticum, C. bifermentans, C. sordellii, C. innocuum, C. botulinum and C. tetani
Clostridum spp.
Histotoxic
C. perfringens, C. novyi, C. histolyticum, C. septicum, C. bifermentans
Obligate anaerobes, catalase negative, Gram- positive, spore-forming bacilli
CLOSTRIDIUM
acquired through ingestion or open wounds that have been contaminated with soil
Toxins of Clostridium
Collagenase, hyaluronidase, lecithinase (soil destruction) and phospholipase
Virulence contributors
Carbohydrate fermenter; except
C. tetani and C. histolyticum
Form endospores anaerobically
CLOSTRIDIUM
Motile; except
C. perfringens, C.
ramosum and C. innocuum
Have swollen sporangia except
C. perfringens and C. bifermentans
Non-encapsulated; except
C. perfringens
Single haemolytic reaction; except
C. perfringens
Most commonly isolated member
CLOSTRIDIUM PERFRINGENS (GAS GANGRENE BACILLUS)
a-toxin and enterotoxin
Virulence factor of C. perfringens
“Boxcar-shaped” bacilli with
subterminal spores
Microscopy of Clostridium perfringens
o (+) Lecithinase – EYA (egg yolk agar)
o (+) Nagler test – Lecithovitellin
o (+) Reverse CAMP Test –arrowhead-
shaped zone of hemolysis towards test
organism
Biochemical
dome-shaped and grayish white with double zones of hemolysis
▪ Alpha and beta zones (double zones)
Clostridum perfringens on BAP
Stormy fermentation of milk
Lithmus milk
o Gas gangrene (myonecrosis)
o Clostridial necrotizing enteritis or Enteritis necroticans
Related Disease:
Blister that has water inside,
tissue necrosis
Gas gangrene (myonecrosis)
▪ Ingested beta enterotoxin in a contaminated food.
▪ Bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain
Clostridial necrotizing enteritis or Enteritis necroticans
Endospore is usually in dust, soil, or dirt/fecal(?) of animals in the farm
CLOSTRIDIUM TETANI (TACK HEAD BACILLUS)
Tetanospasmin (neurotoxin)
Virulence factor of CLOSTRIDIUM TETANI (TACK HEAD
BACILLUS)
Drumstick or tennis-racket
appearance (terminal spores)
Microscopy of CLOSTRIDIUM TETANI