Clostridium perfringens
Last reviewed 07/2021
Clostridium perfringens is one species of the genus Clostridia. Classically, it is the prime organism that produces Clostridial myonecrosis - gas gangrene. However, it may also produce food poisoning.
Morphologically, it is a Gram-positive rod. It forms spores which are oval. Frequently, spores are sited in the sub-terminal or central part of the bacillus. C. perfringens is a non-motile organism.
C. perfringens grows in strictly anaerobic conditions. It produces haemolysis of blood agar at 37 degrees centigrade. Colonies are round with smooth edges.
It has a variety of pathogenic factors:
- alpha-toxin:
- one of five lecithinases produced
- lyses membrane phospholipids to release phosphoryl choline, so causing cell lysis
- the basis of the Nagler test
- collagenase
- hyaluronidase
- a variety of haemolysins
Generally, it is sensitive to penicillin and metronidazole.