Overview of clostridial infections

[Jason Yan]

Clostridia are spore-forming, gram-positive, anaerobic bacilli present widely in dust, soil, and vegetation and as normal flora in mammalian gastrointestinal tracts. Pathogenic species produce tissue-destructive and neural exotoxins that contribute to disease manifestations.

(See also Overview of Anaerobic Bacteria.)

Nearly 100 Clostridium species have been identified, but only 25 to 30 commonly cause human or animal disease.