Clostridium

Morphology

Large rods

What kind of spores do they produce

Endospores

What are the 3 types of clostridia

Neurotoxic, Histotoxic and Enteropathogenic

What does C. tetani cause

Causes tetanus → muscle rigidity and spasms 

What kind of paralysis is caused by C. tetani

Spastic paralysis

What does C. botulinum cause

Botulism

What kind of paralysis does C. botulinum cause

Flaccid paralysis

Which species are included in histotoxic clostridia 

C. perfringens, C. chauvoei

What does histotoxic clostridia cause

Local tissue necrosis, produces exotoxins that cause cell lysis, hemorrhage…

Which species are invloved in enteropathogenic clostridia

C perfringens and C difficile

What does enteropathogenic clostridia cause

Intestinal damage (diarrhea and hemorrhagic enteritis)

Systemic toxemia (pulmonary edema, shock…) 

Under which conditions in lab cultures

Anaerobic

What does the nagler reaction test for

Alpha toxin in C. perfringens

Biochemical tests

Catalase negative

Oxidase negative