Definition

1. Noun:
   • A species of anaerobic, Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium: Clostridium perfringens is a bacterium that thrives in environments without oxygen. It is known for producing several toxins, including the potent epsilon toxin.
   • A cause of food poisoning and gas gangrene: This bacterium is a common agent of foodborne illness and can cause severe tissue infections known as gas gangrene, especially in wounds.
   • A potential biological weapon: Due to the potency of the toxins it produces, Clostridium perfringens has been studied for potential use as a bioweapon.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The outbreak was traced back to Clostridium perfringens contamination in the kitchen.
  • Gas gangrene, often caused by Clostridium perfringens, requires immediate medical treatment.
  • Scientists study the epsilon toxin from Clostridium perfringens due to its potential as a biological threat.

Advanced Usage

• Scientific/Medical Context: The name is always used in italics in formal scientific writing to denote the genus and species.
  • The study focused on the toxin production mechanisms of Clostridium perfringens.
• Public Health Context: Often referred to in discussions of food safety protocols.
  • Proper cooling of cooked meats is essential to prevent the growth of Clostridium perfringens.

Variants and Related Words

• C. perfringens (n): The standard abbreviated form used in scientific literature.
• Clostridial (adj): Relating to bacteria of the genus .
  • Clostridial myonecrosis is the medical term for gas gangrene.
• Enterotoxin (n): A type of toxin produced by that affects the intestines, causing food poisoning.

Synonyms

• C. welchii (n): An older, synonymous name for the same bacterium, though is now the standard term.
• Gas gangrene bacillus (n): A descriptive term highlighting one of its primary disease associations.

Related Phrases

• Clostridium perfringens infection (n): The general condition caused by the bacterium.
  • Symptoms of a Clostridium perfringens infection include abdominal cramps and diarrhea.
• Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin (n): One of the major lethal toxins produced by the bacterium.
• Clostridium perfringens food poisoning (n): The specific illness resulting from consuming food contaminated with the bacterium.

Noun

1. anaerobic Gram-positive rod bacterium that produces epsilon toxin; can be used as a bioweapon