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Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium difficile, and Other Clostridium Species

Bacteriology

Organisms and Their Biology

  1. S. Peter Borriello PhD FRCPath FFPH Director, Specialist and Reference, Microbiology Division; and Interim Director1,
  2. Klaus Aktories MD PhD Director, Institute of Experimental and, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology2

Published Online: 15 MAR 2010

DOI: 10.1002/9780470688618.taw0044

Book Title

Topley and Wilson's Microbiology and Microbial Infections

Topley and Wilson's Microbiology and Microbial Infections

Additional Information

How to Cite

Borriello, S. P. and Aktories, K. 2010. Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium difficile, and Other Clostridium Species. Topley and Wilson's Microbiology and Microbial Infections.

Author Information

  1. 1

    Health Protection Agency, Centre for Infections, London, UK

  2. 2

    University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany

Publication History

  1. Published Online: 15 MAR 2010
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Abstract

  • 1
    Introduction
  • 2
    Historical Background to Pathogenic Clostridia
  • 3
    Classification and Description of Pathogenic Clostridia
  • 4
    Habitat
  • 5
    Physical Features
  • 6
    Growth and Appearance on Culture Media
  • 7
    Metabolism
  • 8
    Susceptibility to Physical and Chemical Agents
  • 9
    Laboratory Isolation and Identification
  • 10
    Differential Characterization of the Clostridia
  • 11
    Toxins and Biologically Active Antigens
  • 12
    Gas Gangrene
  • 13
    Other Clostridial Infections of Humans
  • 14
    Clostridium difficile Infection

Keywords:

  • Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium difficile, and other Clostridium species;
  • classification of bacteria-morphology, disease association, pathogenicity and toxigenicity;
  • relationship of medically important Clostridium species based on 16S rRNA gene sequences;
  • blood agar plates;
  • egg yolk agar media-for lecithinase and lipase detection;
  • green fluorescent colonies by clostridia on MacConkey's agar;
  • differential characterization of clostridia;
  • role of clostridial toxins in gas gangrene
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