Clostridium

Clostridium
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Bacteria Division: Firmicutes Class: Clostridia Order: Clostridiales Family: Clostridiaceae Genus: Clostridium
Species
Clostridium acetobutylicum   Clostridium aerotolerans   Clostridium botulinum   Clostridium colicanis   Clostridium difficile   Clostridium formicaceticum   Clostridium novyi   Clostridium perfringens   Clostridium tetani

Clostridium is a genus of anaerobic spore-forming bacteria.

There are many species of Clostridium but the four main species that cause disease in humans are:

• Clostridium botulinum the organism that produces a toxin in food that causes botulism.
• Clostridium difficile which can overtake other bacteria in the gut when antibiotics are given, causing pseudomembranous colitis.
• Clostridium perfringens that gets into wounds to cause gas gangrene.
• Clostridium tetani the organism that causes tetanus (lockjaw).