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CLOSTRIDIUM SPECIES AY
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SEM
Clinical Bacteriology 24
Outline

I. Introduction to Clostridium spp.

II. Organisms Proper
• Clostridium perfringens
• Clostridium botulinum
• Clostridium tetani
• Clostridium difficile

Introduction to Clostridium spp.

• Are gram-positive, spore-forming,
motile, catalase-negative, anaerobic
bacilli.
• Does not grow in the presence of
Oxygen (Anaerobic).
• An aerotolerant organism (5% O2)
• Natural Habitat: Soil, Sewage, and
Marine Sediments C. perfringens in BAP Agar

Morphology
Typical Organisms
• Spores are wider than the diameter of
its rods.
• Spores are placed centrally,
subterminal, and terminal.
• Flagella: Peritrichous Flagella

C. tetani in BAP Agar

Culture
• Grow well on blood-enriched media in
anaerobic conditions. C. septicum in BAP Agar

Colony Forms
• Large Raised colonies (C. perfringens-
gray-grayish yellow in BAP Agar)
• Smaller Colonies (C. tetani- gray in
BAP Agar)
• Spread or swarm (C. septicum- gray in
BAP Agar)

CLOSTRIDIUM SPECIES
Clinical Bacteriology
Organisms Proper
Clostridium perfringens
Virulence Factor
1. Lecithinase (alpha toxin)- splits lecithin
to phosphorylcholine and diglyceride.
2. Theta Toxin- has the same effects as
lecithinase but do not occur in lecithin but
in cholesterol-dependent cytolysins.
3. Epsilon Toxin- protein that causes
edema.
4. CPE- an enterotoxin protein that causes
intense diarrhea.
Pathogenesis (Food Poisoning)
Type of Disease Definition
Type A (self-limited) Caused by CPE
Type C (more serious) -Produces more B-
toxin than A-toxin
-Severe abdominal
pain and diarrhea
Myonecrosis (Gas -Commonly caused by
gangrene) C. perfringens but
other species can also
produce this type of
disease such as C.
histolyticum, C.
septicum, C. novyi,
and C. bifermentans.
-Symptoms: pain and
swelling in the
affected area.
Bacteremia -C. perfringens- most
common
-C. septicum- present
in bloodstream
-C. bifermentans & C.
tertium- isolated in
blood cultures.
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Gas gangrene caused by C. perfringens
Clostridium botulinum
• It is usually found in soil and
occasionally in animal feces.
• It’s spores is resistant to 100C of heat
for several hours.
Virulence Factors
1. Type A & B- associated with variety of
foods.
2. Type E- fish products
3. Type C- limberneck in birds
4. Type D- botulinum in mammals
Two Domains:
Third Domain -Cleaves heavy and
light chains of
immunoglobulins
Botulinum Toxin -Bioterrorism agent
-Small amount
causes death
-Does not affect
blood brain barrier
and CNS.
-Binds to receptors
of motor neurons in
PNE.

Morphology of Clostridium perfringens
Diagnosis (Botulism)
• Detection of toxin- definitive diagnosis
• Demonstrated in serum, gastric
secretions, or stool
Treatment
• Human-derived botulinum immune
globulin (BIG)- recommended
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Clinical Bacteriology 24
• Supportive care especially intensive • Muscular Spasms- first area of injury
care or infection
Diagnosis
• Strychnine poisoning- primary
differential diagnosis of tetanus.
Treatment
• Treatment is not satisfactory;
therefore, prevention is a must.
Morphology Appearance
• Gray, matte surface, irregular to rhizoid
margin, translucent, flat.

Morphology of Clostridium botulinum

Botulism caused by C. botulinum

Clostridium tetani
• Usually found in soil and feces of Morphology of Clostridium tetani
animals.
• All share common O antigen
Virulence Factor
1. Tetanospasmin Toxin- prevents the
release of inhibitory and excitatory
neurotransmitters.
Pathogenesis (Tetanus)
• Remains only at a strictly localized Tetanus caused by C. tetani
area (not invasive)
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Clinical Bacteriology 24
Clostridium difficile
Virulence Factor
• Toxin A (enterotoxin)
• Toxin B (cytotoxin)
Pathogenesis
• Causes diarrhea and
pseudomembranous colitis.
• Common cause of health care-
associated infections
• Symptoms: Bloody diarrhea with
necrosis

Morphology of Clostridium difficile

Colitis caused by C. difficile