Definition

1. Noun:
   • Spindle-shaped bacterial cells: Clostridia are a genus of bacteria characterized by their rod-like, spindle-shaped appearance.
   • Anaerobic, spore-forming bacteria: They are typically anaerobic (thriving in environments without oxygen) and have the ability to form durable endospores, often causing the bacterial cell to swell at its center.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Clostridia are commonly found in soil and in the intestinal tracts of animals.
  • The laboratory test confirmed the presence of clostridia in the tissue sample.
  • Some species of clostridia can cause serious diseases like tetanus and botulism.

Advanced Usage

• Scientific/Medical Context: The term is primarily used in microbiology and medicine. It often refers to the genus (singular), with "clostridia" serving as the plural form.
  • The doctor explained that the food poisoning was likely due to toxins produced by clostridia.

Variants and Related Words

• Clostridium (n): The singular form of the genus name.
  • Clostridium botulinum is the bacterium that produces the botulinum toxin.
• Clostridial (adj): Relating to or caused by clostridia.
  • The patient was diagnosed with a clostridial infection.

Synonyms

• Anaerobic bacilli: Rod-shaped bacteria that do not require oxygen.
• Spore-forming rods: Bacteria that produce endospores.

Notes on Meaning

• The term "clostridia" specifically refers to the plural form of bacteria belonging to the genus . It is not typically used in everyday conversation but is standard in scientific and healthcare fields. The defining visual characteristic is the spindle shape and the central swelling due to the endospore.

Noun

1. spindle-shaped bacterial cell especially one swollen at the center by an endospore