Gram positive SPORE-FORMING BACILLI
- Clostridium perfringens
- Clostridium botulinum
- Clostridium tetani
- Clostridium difficile
- Clostridium septicum
Gram positive Bacilli
- Actinomyces spp.
- Propionibacterium spp.
- Bifidobacterium spp.
Gram negative bacilli
- Bacteroides fragilis
- Porphyromonas spp.
- Prevotella spp.
- Fusobacterium spp.
Gram negative cocci
Clostridium perfringens Virulence Factor - Alpha & Beta toxins
- Type A (mild)
- Type C -food poisoning (enteritis necrotans)
- Enterotoxin
Disease Association - Gas Gangrene – myonecrosis / eating sore
- Pig-bel-necrotic enteritis
Other Information - Encapsulated
- nonmotile
- box-car appearance
- DOUBLE ZONE HEMOLYSIS
- reverse CAMP +
- stormy milk formation
- subterminal spore
|
C. botulinum Virulence Factor - Botulinum toxin
- most potent toxin
- neurotoxin
Disease Association - flaccid paralysis
- wound botulism
- infant botulism (floppy baby syndrome)
- SIDS
- Crib death
Other Information - Toxin used to treat strabismus
- Tennis racket spores
- Terminal spore
|
C. tetani Virulence Factor - Tetanospasmin
- Neurotox in that causes spastic paralysis with continuo us muscle spasm
Disease Association - Tetanus
- Tetanus neonatorum
Other information - Drumstick, lollipop
- Narrow zone of hemolysis
- Terminal spore vs. C. ramosum – terminal spore but glucose fermenter
|
C. difficile Virulence Factor - Toxin A
- Toxic to cells of intestinal mucosa
- Toxin B (cytotoxin)
- Necrosis of colonic mucosa
Disease Association - Antibiotic associated diarrhea
- Pseudomembran ous colitis
- Associated with CLINDAMYCIN
Other Information - Horsestable, barnyard odor
- Yellow “groundglass” in CCFA
|
C. septicum Disease Association - Associated with colorectal cancer
Other Information - Subterminal spore
- Betahemolytic
- Medusa head in Anaerobic BAP
|
| | Swarming | Motility | Glucose | Lactose | Lecithinase | Lipase | Spore
Formation |
C.
perfringens | – | – | + | + | + | – | ST |
C.
botulinum | – | + | + | – | – | + | ST |
| C. tetani | + | + | – | – | – | – | T |
| C. difficile | – | + | + | – | – | – | ST |
C.
septicum | + | + | + | – | – | – | ST |
