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Clostridium perfringens

  • Clostridium perfringens bacteria from an infected human gall bladder.

    Clostridium perfringens bacteria from an infected human gall bladder.

    A.W. Rakosy/EB Inc.

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clostridial infection

Clostridium tetani, the causative agent of tetanus.
Enterotoxins produced by C. perfringens cause several gastrointestinal diseases in sheep, including lamb dysentery, struck, and pulpy kidney. Exotoxins produced by C. perfringens also cause disease in humans, including gas gangrene, enteritis necroticans, and food poisoning. Botulism, a type of poisoning arising from improperly sterilized foods or from wound infection, is...

Clostridium species

Micrograph of Clostridium difficile bacteria from a stool sample.

food poisoning

A butcher cutting beef.
...the various microorganisms. These toxins usually affect the cells lining the intestinal wall, causing vomiting and diarrhea. Microorganisms capable of causing food-poisoning intoxication include Clostridium perfringens (found in temperature-abused cooked meats—i.e., meats that have not been stored, cooked, or reheated at the appropriate temperatures), Staphylococcus aureus...

reproduction rate

Clostridium perfringens
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