The Clostridia are a highly polyphyleticclass of Firmicutes, including Clostridium and other similar genera. They are distinguished from the Bacilli by lacking aerobic respiration. They are obligate anaerobes and oxygen is toxic to them. Species of the class Clostridia are often but not always Gram-positive and have the ability to form spores. Studies show they are not a monophyletic group, and their relationships are not entirely certain. Currently, most are placed in a single order called Clostridiales, but this is not a natural group and is likely to be redefined in the future. Most species of the genus Clostridium are saprophytic organisms that ferment plant polysaccharides and are found in many places in the environment, most notably the soil. However, the genus does contain some human pathogens. The toxins produced by certain members of the genus Clostridium are among the most dangerous known. Examples are tetanus toxin produced by C. tetani and botulinum toxin produced by C. botulinum. Some species have been isolated from women with bacterial vaginosis.
Epidemiology
Since they are commonly found in soils and in microbiota of humans and animals, Clostridia wounds and infections are found worldwide. Host defenses against the microbe are nearly absent, and very little innate immunity exists, if any. Clostridia can be diagnosed by recognizing the characteristics of the lesion of the infection along with Gram stains of the tissue and bacterial culture. Although the body does not have adequate defenses alone, this microbe can be controlled with the help of antibiotics, like penicillin, and tissue debridement for the more severe cases.
Clostridia bacteria are commonly found in the gut-microbiome. Overuse of antibiotics can cause imbalance of the gut microbiome, leading to overgrowth of the species Clostridioides difficile causing a serious infection. Effects of this infection can lead to severe diarrhea and also the increase in severity of many bowel related diseases is also increased as a results of the infection. Other Clostridia bacteria in the gut have been linked to brain connectivity and healthy function. Patients that have been subjected to fecal microbiome transplants to treat their CDI have seen improvements in their mood and mental health. This preliminary research seems to suggest a tentative link between the presence of Clostridia in the gut microbiome and overall mental health, with gut microbiome transplants as an avenue of future research into novel treatments for certain psychiatric disorders.
Species
Notable species of this class include:
Clostridium perfringens
Clostridium difficile
Clostridium tetani
Clostridium botulinum
Clostridium acetobutylicum
Clostridium haemolyticum
Clostridium novyi
* Clostridium oedematiens
Clostridium phytofermentans
Heliobacteria and Christensenella are also members of the class Clostridia. Some of the enzymes produced by this group are used in bioremediation.
Phylogeny
Notes: ♥ Clade names not lodged at National Center for Biotechnology Information or listed in the List of Prokaryotic names with Standing in Nomenclature
