clostridium

clostridium
clostridial, clostridian, adj.
/klo strid"ee euhm/, n., pl. clostridia /klo strid"ee euh/. Bacteriol.
any of several rod-shaped, spore-forming, anaerobic bacteria of the genus Clostridium, found in soil and in the intestinal tract of humans and animals.
[1880-85; < NL < Gk klostr-, var. s. of klostér spindle (klos-, var. s. of klóthein (see CLOTHO) + -ter agent suffix) + NL -idium -IDIUM]

* * *

Any of the rod-shaped, usually gram-positive bacteria (see gram stain) that make up the genus Clostridium.

They are found in soil, water, and the intestinal tracts of humans and other animals. Some species grow only in the complete absence of oxygen. Dormant cells are highly resistant to heat, drying, toxic chemicals, and detergents. The toxins produced by C. botulinum, which causes botulism, are the strongest poisons known. The toxin of C. tetani causes tetanus; other species can cause gangrene.

* * *

      genus of rod-shaped, usually gram-positive bacteria, members of which are found in soil, water, and the intestinal tracts of humans and other animals. Most species grow only in the complete absence of oxygen. Dormant cells are highly resistant to heat, dessication, and toxic chemicals and detergents. The species are variable in size. A typical species, C. butyricum, ranges from 0.6 micrometres across by 3 to 7 micrometres long. The toxins produced by C. botulinum, the causative agent of botulism (q.v.), are the most potent poisons known. The toxin of C. tetani causes tetanus (q.v.) when introduced into damaged or dead tissue. C. perfringens, C. novyi, and C. septicum can cause gangrene in humans. Other forms of acute clostridial infection commonly occur in livestock and waterfowl.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Clostridium — Clostridium …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Clostridium — SEM micrograph of Clostridium difficile colonies from a stool sample. Scientific classification Domain …   Wikipedia

  • Clostridium — acetobutylicum Clostridium aerotolerans Clostridium botulinum Clostridium colicanis Clostridium difficile Clostridium formicaceticum Clostridium novyi Clostridium perfringens Clostridium tetani Clostridium es un género de bacterias baciláceas… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • clostridium — n. {clostridia} 1. spindle shaped bacterial cell esp. one swollen at the center by an endospore. Syn: clostridia. [WordNet 1.5] 2. [capitalized] a genus of anaerobic, spore forming motile bacteria of the family {Bacillaceae}, including several… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • clostridium — [kläs trid′ē əm] n. pl. clostridia [kläs trid′ēə] [ModL < Gr klōstēr, a spindle (see CLOTHO) + ModL idium, dim. suffix < Gr idion: so named from its shape] any of a large genus (Clostridium) of spore forming, anaerobic, rod shaped bacteria …   English World dictionary

  • Clostridium — См. Клостридий (Источник: «Словарь терминов микробиологии») …   Словарь микробиологии

  • Clostridĭum — (lat.), die Spindelform, die an den Enden abgerundete Stäbchenbakterien annehmen, wenn es bei der Ausbildung der mittelständigen Sporen zu einer Austreibung des Stäbchens kommt …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Clostridium — Género de bacterias anaerobias formadoras de esporas de la familia Bacillaceae implicadas en la gangrena gaseosa, el botulismo, la intoxicación alimentaria, las celulitis, la infección de heridas y el tétanos. Diccionario Mosby Medicina,… …   Diccionario médico

  • Clostridium — Clostridium …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Clostridium — Clostridien Clostridium botulinum Systematik Domäne: Bakterien Stamm …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Clostridium —   Clostridium …   Wikipedia Español

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”