Author: Glossary

Large, non-motile clostridium, and the species most frequently causing gas gangrene. Totally anaerobic and saccharolytic, 6 types (A—F) of the organism occur, differing in the toxins they produce. Alpha toxin (a lethicinase), is the most lethal of these; others are beta, epsilon, iota, gamma, delta, eta, theta, kappa, lambda, mu and nu and other toxins…

Saccharolytic species, non-toxic, not entirely anaerobic, and though producing gas in wounds, not of confirmed pathogenicity.  

Motile species, saprophytic, but often occurs mixed with pathogenic Clostridia. Highly heat-stable spores. Proteolytic and saccharolytic. A species frequently associated with other organisms in mixed gangrenous infections.  

Frequently implicated in gas gangrene in man, and like conditions in farm animals. Saccharolytic motile organism forming swollen ‘citron’ shapes when growing in tissue. Possesses antigenic and other similarities to Cl. chauvoei. A species found in cases of gangrene in humans, as well as in cattle, hogs, and other domestic animals.  

Probably synonymous with Cl. bifermentans, and the term is often reserved for pathogenic forms of that species. A species that may cause anaerobic infections in bones, joints, soft tissues, the uterus, and elsewhere.  

Species often implicated in severe gas gangrene in man, and similar conditions in sheep and cattle. The organism is saccharolytic but not proteolytic, and 4 antigenic types (A,B,C,D) occur.  

Species occasionally causing gas gangrene. Proteolytic, not strictly anaerobic. A species found in cases of gas gangrene.  

Occasionally implicated in gas-gangrene, this species resembles Cl. welchii in some ways.  

Species occasionally implicated in gas gangrene. Decomposes both proteins and carbohydrates. May be saprophytic or pathogenic; if pathogenic then it is exotoxic.  

Disinfectants which possess the wide antibacterial spectrum of cresolic fluids (e.g., lysol) but at their correct use-dilution (usually between 0.5 and 3 per cent) are neither irritant nor corrosive to the skin. Sporicidal action is negligible.