Clostridium.ppt

Clostridium Victoria Campbell Jenny Dworzak Elizabeth Seely Kevin Wilmot Introductory Characteristics Obligate anaerobes Gram positive Capable of producing endospores Rod-shaped, named after Greek word for spindle, kloster Club-shaped, as well: endospores form club end Connection to Aquatic Microbiology Common habitat: anaerobic aquatic sediments Dormant spores restricted to fermentative metabolism: products include butyric acid, acetic acid, butanol, acetone, CO2 and H2 gas Play important role in biodegradation and carbon cycling Free-living, non-pathogenic Clostridium bacteria C. acetobutylicum: “Weizmann organism” Used to generate acetone and biobutanol from starch since 1916 for use in gunpowder and TNT C. thermocellum: Uses lignocellulosic waste to form ethanol Requires no cooling system Our Presentation: 4 Most Clinically Relevant Clostridium Species Clostridium tetani Clostridium botulinum Clostridium perfringens Clostridium difficile Clostridium tetani General Characteristics Obligate anaerobes Heat sensitive Limited flagella-mediated motility Formation of terminal spore gives drumstick-like shape and appearance 11 strains, differing in capability of producing toxins Habitats Spores in soil Parasites in gastrointestinal tracts of animals (sheep, cattle, dogs, chickens, horses, rats, guinea pigs) Endospores prevalent in manure-treated soils Endospores prevalent on human skin and in contaminated heroin History 5th century B.C.: Hippocrates described correlation between wounds and fatal muscle spasms 1884: Arthur Nicolaier isolated C. Tetani 1884: Antonio Carle and Giorgio Rattone demonstrated transmissibility of tetanus 1889: Kitasato Shibasaburo demonstrated neutralization of tetanus 1897: Edmond Nocard demonstrated that tetanus antitoxin induced passive immunity in humans 1924: Descombey developed Tetanus toxoid vaccine used in WW2 C.Tetani: The Endospore Heat resistant (can survive autoclaving at 121 C for 10-15 min) Antiseptic resistant Chem