Clostridium:A group ofanaerobicbacteria (bacteria that thrive in the absence of oxygen). There are 100+ species ofClostridium. They include, for examples,Clostridium difficile, Clostridium perfringens (also called Clostridium welchii), and Clostridium botulinum.
Clostridium difficileis one of the most common causes of infection of the large bowel (thecolon) in the US affecting millions of people yearly. Patients taking antibiotics are at risk of becoming infected withC. difficile. Antibiotics disrupt the normal bacteria of the bowel, allowing C. difficile bacteria to become established in the colon. Many persons infected with C.difficile have no symptoms. These people become carriers of the bacteria and can infect others. In other people, atoxinproduced by C. difficile causes diarrhea, abdominal pain, severe inflammation of the colon (结肠炎), fever, an elevated white blood count, vomiting and dehydration. In severely affected patients, the inner lining of the colon becomes severely inflamed (a condition calledpseudomembranous colitis). Rarely, the walls of the colon wear away and holes develop (colon perforation), which can lead to a life-threatening infection of the abdomen.
Clostridium perfringens, also known as Clostridium welchii), this is the most common agent of gasgangreneand also causesfood poisoningas well as a fulminant form of bowel disease called necrotizing colitis.
Clostridium botulinumis the culprit responsible for the foodpoisoningand other problems associated with botulism.
