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Clostridium spp

ISSN 2398-2993

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Synonym(s): Clostridia, Clostridial, Clostridioides

Introduction

Classification

Taxonomy

  • Kingdom: bacteria.
  • Phylum: Firmicutes.
  • Class: Clostridia.
  • Order: Clostridiales.
  • Family: Clostridiaceae.
  • Genus: Clostridioides.

Etymology

  • Gk: Clostridium: klōstēr - a spindle, in reference to their rod shape.

Distribution

  • Worldwide distribution. Some species distribution is correlated to presence of sheep and liver flukes (eg C. chauvoei).
Take a look at our farmer factsheet on - Liver fluke.
  • Normal intestinal flora of cattle. Some can exist as endospores in tissues which if activated can cause disease.
  • Ubiquitous in soil, organic material and freshwater.
  • Very stable in the environment.

Significance

  • There are several diseases of cattle attributed to Clostridial bacteria:
    • C.tetani (tetanus) Clostridium tetani Tetanus, lock jaw, spastic paralysis
    • C. novyi type B (black disease Black disease, malignant edema, gas gangrene-occasionally observed in cattle.
    • C. perfringens type A (jejunal hemorrhage syndrome, abomasal ulcers Abomasal ulceration, gas gangrene, sudden death), type C (necrotic enteritis), type D (exterotoxemia).
    • C. chauvoei (black leg, black quarter, malignant edema).
    • C. septicum (malignant edema, gas gangerene, exterotoxemia).
    • C. sordellii (enterotoxemia, malignant edema).
    • C. hemolyticum (red water disease, bacillary hemoglobinuria Bacillary hemoglobinuria).
    • C. difficile (associated with diarrhea).
    • C. botulinum types C and D Clostridium botulinum (botulism Botulism).

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Resting Forms

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Clinical Effects

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Diagnosis

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Further Reading

Publications

Refereed Papers

  • Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
  • Abdel-Moein K A & Hamza D A (2016) Occurrence of human pathogenic Clostridium botulinum among healthy dairy animals: an emerging public health hazard. Pathog glob health 110 (1), 25-9 PubMed.
  • Fohler S, Klein G, Hoedemaker M, Scheu T, Seyboldt C, Campe A, Jensen K C &
    Abdulmawjood A (2016) Diversity of Clostridium perfringens toxin-genotypes from dairy farms. BMC Microbiol 16 (1), 199 PubMed.
  • Lindström M, Myllykoski J, Sivelä S & Korkeala H (2010) Clostridium botulinum in cattle and dairy products. Crit rev food sci nutr 50 (4), 281-304 PubMed.
  • Princewill T J, Agba M I & Jemitola S O (1985) Animal feeds as likely vehicles of clostridial infections in livestock. Microbios 42 (169-170), 155-62 PubMed.
  • Princewell T J T & Agba M I (1982) Examination of bovine faeces for the isolation and identification of Clostridium species. Journal of applied bacteriology 52, 97–102 PubMed.