Clostridium sordellii

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University of Oklahoma Study Abroad Microbiology in Arezzo, Italy[1]

File:Clostridium sordellii bacteria.gif

Hematoxylin and Eosin Staining image of Clostridium difficile at 100x magnification. From: cid.oxfordjournals.org [2]

Etiology/Bacteriology

Taxonomy

| Domain = Bacteria | Phylum = Firmicutes | Class = Clostridia | Order = Clostridiales | Family = Clostridiaceae | Genus = Clostridium | species = Clostridium sordellii

NCBI: [3] Genome: [4]

Description

Clostridium sordelli is a gram positive, spore-forming, anaerobic rod (1). This bacterium was first discovered by Alfredo Sordelli in 1922 who named it Bacillus oedematis because of the distinct edematous characteristics it causes in cases of infection (1). In 1927 the organism was renamed Bacillus sordellii and two years later it became classified as Clostridium sordellii, as it is almost indistinguishable from Clostridium oedematoides (1). Previous research on this organism can be found under these former species names. Clostridium sordelli is a virulent strain of Clostridium bifermentans that causes pneumonia, endocarditis, arthritis, peritonitits, myonecrosis, bacteremia and sepsis in humans in more serious strains of the disease (1, 2). The most published manifestations of this infection are those causing severe toxic shock syndrome in association with gynecological complications in women (2). However, cases of C. sordelli infections are recorded equally among men and women (3). This microorganism is only found in 0.5% of human intestines, but more commonly isolated from soil (1). There are various treatments for this disease, some being more effective than others, ranging from antibiotic to supplemental oxygen usage (3). Two notable virulence factors, Lethal Toxin (LT) and Hemorrhagic Toxin (HT), aid in the pathogenicity of the organism (3). The method of transmission of Clostridium sordellii is unknown (1). Microbiologists and health professionals continue to work in conjunction to prevent the spread of these bacteria during gynecological procedures, non-gynecological procedures and in cases involving injury to soft tissues (2). Illicit drug users are especially susceptible to C. sordellii infections and certain drugs have shown more apt to transmit the bacterium (4).

References

Created by Caitlyn Baukal, student of Tyrrell Conway at the University of Oklahoma.