Clostridia (gram positive bacilli)

Clostridia

Thess are gram positive,spore forming anaerobic rods (bacilli).

They form endospores (spore present within vegetative cell).

Mostly they are found in soil, water or dead and decaying organic matter.

It has four major pathogenic species including;

1. Clostridium tetani

Cause tetanus.

2. Clostridium perfringens

Cause gas gangrene.

3. Clostridium botulinum

Cause food poisioning.

4. Clostridium difficile

Cause pseudomembranous colitis (inflammation of colon).