Clostridium cadaveris
| Clostridium cadaveris | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Bacteria |
| Division: | Firmicutes |
| Class: | Clostridia |
| Family: | Clostridiaceae |
| Genus: | Clostridium |
| Species: | Cl. cadaveris |
| Binomial name | |
|
Clostridium cadaveris (Klein 1899) McClung and McCoy 1957 |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
Clostridium cadaveris is an enteric, gas-forming, motile, strictly anaerobic gram-positive bacterium of the genus Clostridium. First described by Klein in 1899, it was noted to be the most prominent bacteria during human decomposition; historically it was described as "putrefying flora".
Clostridium cadaveris is usually considered non-pathogenic; unlike other species of Clostridium, it does not produce toxins.Clostridium cadaveris is found in soil, water, and is a normal component of the human intestinal tract.
The genus Clostridium is large and phylogenetically diverse comprising over 150 species. Clostrida are extensively found in nature predominately as benign soil saprophytes.A number of Clostridium species are pathogenic to humans. Members including C.botulinium, C. perfringens, and C.septicum are spore forming and the cause of botulism and gas gangrene respectively. Clostridium cadaveris is closely related phylogenetically to Clostridium fallax and Clostridium intestinale.
Infections in humans due to C. cadaveris are rare and the organism is seldom found is clinical specimens. Most cases reported in medical literature document infections in immunocompromised patients, but isolated cases in immunocompetent hosts have been reported.
Primary isolation media is blood agar incubated anaerobically at 35-37 degrees Celsius for 40–48 hours. Microscopic appearance shows gram positive rods with both smooth and rough colony types and further spore staining technique may be utilized to determine spore shape and position. Currently the standard to identify clostrida species such as C. cadaveris is via molecular techniques utilizing ribosomal RNA gene sequencing.
Infections due to C. cadaveris are rare and present predominately as bacteremias of gastro-intestinal origin and may occur endogenously. Associated risk factors for bactremias of C. cadaveris origin include a compromised immune system, trauma, recent surgical procedures, diabetes, and perforated bowel. Bacteremia and sepsis caused by Clostridium cadaveris have been implicated following orthopedic procedures,in patients undergoing oncological treatment, and in cases of necrotic decubitus. Due to the rare clinical manifestation of bactremias attributed to C. cadaveris, the organism's susceptibility to antibiotic treatment is not well documented. Case reports indicate a susceptibility to most antibiotics including metronidazole and penicillin as well as resistance to clindamycin and possibly beta-lactams. Infections may be persistent due to the organisms ability to sporulate.
...
Wikipedia