OTHER CLOSTRIDIAL INFECTIONS

MICROBIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS

Clostridia are pleomorphic, gram-positive, spore-forming organisms. Most species are obligate anaerobes; some (e.g., C. septicum, C. tertium) can grow—but not sporulate—in air.

In humans, clostridia reside in the GI and female genital tracts and on the oral mucosa.
Clostridial species produce more protein toxins than any other bacterial genus; the C. perfringens epsilon toxin is among the most lethal and is considered a potential agent of bioterrorism.

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