Detection of Toxigenic Clostridia

Clostridia are anaerobic spore-forming bacteria that are widespread in the environment. They produce many extracellular hydrolytic enzymes and are especially involved in the decomposition of carcasses and plants in natural conditions. Some species produce potent toxins and are pathogenic for man and animals. Clostridia do not invade healthy cells nor multiply within them. They are able to enter host organisms by two ways, the oral route and wounds, but their proliferation in the intestinal content or in wounds requires the presence of risk factors. Thus, incomplete or nonfunctional digestive microflora in newborns, perturbation of the digestive microflora by antibiotics, overfeeding, intestinal stasis, or malignancy of the intestinal wall represent common factors permitting clostridial growth. Deep wounds forming a small hole on the outside and harboring necrotic tissues enable their implantation in connective and muscular tissues. Toxins as the main virulence factors are responsible for all symptoms and lesions observed in clostridial diseases. Consequently, toxins are the main target for diagnosis of clostridial diseases, as well as the basis for efficient vaccines.