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.