Uploaded August 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
There are over 160 known species of Clostridium, a genus of anaerobic, Gram-positive bacteria. The bacteria can be found in the environment and in the intestinal tracts of animals, including humans.
Some species of Clostridium have been utilized for various commercial purposes, but others are significant human pathogens. Common sources of entry for humans is through trauma and the gastrointestinal tract.
Some of these pathogens include:
Clostridium botulinum
Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum and sometimes by other strains of Clostridium. The bacteria are found naturally in many places, but it’s rare for them to make people sick. There are five main types of botulism, foodborne botulism, wound botulism, infant botulism, latrogenic botulism, and adult intestinal toxemia.
Clostridium perfringens
Clostridium perfringens is a spore-forming bacterium that is found in many environmental sources as well as in the intestines of humans and animals. It produces a toxin that causes illness and the CDC estimates it is responsible for nearly 1 million annual foodborne illnesses in just the United States. It is commonly linked to meat and poultry held at unsafe temperatures.
Clostridium tetani
Tetanus is a serious infection caused by Clostridium tetani. It is characterized by generalized rigidity and convulsive spasms of skeletal muscles. The muscle stiffness usually involves the jaw and neck and then becomes generalized.
Clostridioides difficile
Formerly known as Clostridium difficile until it was reclassified into the Clostridioides genus in 2016, is often referred to as C. diff. CDC estimates it causes almost half a million infections in the U.S. each year. Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) involving C. diff can be difficult to treat and cause serious concern.
Clostridium sordellii
Clostridium sordellii, now known as Paeniclostridium sordellii, can be found in the environment and be carried by people. In rare cases, it can cause pneumonia, endocarditis, arthritis, peritonitis, myonecrosis, bacteremia, and sepsis.
These are just some of the species and a few of the many things to know about Clostridium and potential exposure risks. To learn more about this or other infection control, industrial hygiene, environmental, health, or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
CTSI ctsiweb.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
There are over 160 known species of Clostridium, a genus of anaerobic, Gram-positive bacteria. The bacteria can be found in the environment and in the intestinal tracts of animals, including humans.
Some species of Clostridium have been utilized for various commercial purposes, but others are significant human pathogens. Common sources of entry for humans is through trauma and the gastrointestinal tract.
Some of these pathogens include:
Clostridium botulinum
Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum and sometimes by other strains of Clostridium. The bacteria are found naturally in many places, but it’s rare for them to make people sick. There are five main types of botulism, foodborne botulism, wound botulism, infant botulism, latrogenic botulism, and adult intestinal toxemia.
Clostridium perfringens
Clostridium perfringens is a spore-forming bacterium that is found in many environmental sources as well as in the intestines of humans and animals. It produces a toxin that causes illness and the CDC estimates it is responsible for nearly 1 million annual foodborne illnesses in just the United States. It is commonly linked to meat and poultry held at unsafe temperatures.
Clostridium tetani
Tetanus is a serious infection caused by Clostridium tetani. It is characterized by generalized rigidity and convulsive spasms of skeletal muscles. The muscle stiffness usually involves the jaw and neck and then becomes generalized.
Clostridioides difficile
Formerly known as Clostridium difficile until it was reclassified into the Clostridioides genus in 2016, is often referred to as C. diff. CDC estimates it causes almost half a million infections in the U.S. each year. Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) involving C. diff can be difficult to treat and cause serious concern.
Clostridium sordellii
Clostridium sordellii, now known as Paeniclostridium sordellii, can be found in the environment and be carried by people. In rare cases, it can cause pneumonia, endocarditis, arthritis, peritonitis, myonecrosis, bacteremia, and sepsis.
These are just some of the species and a few of the many things to know about Clostridium and potential exposure risks. To learn more about this or other infection control, industrial hygiene, environmental, health, or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
CTSI ctsiweb.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
