Clostridium perfringens was another name given to C. welchii. This is a bacterium which belongs to gram-positive group. They are rod-shaped, form spores and are anaerobic. This bacterium lives in the places like decaying vegetation, sedimentation formed inside the waters, inside the intestinal tract of vertebrates, and in the soil. Clostridium perfringens sometimes acts as a pathogen for humans and sometimes, it will not cause harm even if ingested.
In the case of plants, normal lesions found on them will be inhabited by Clostridium perfringens. Here, there is no role of this bacterium in causing any disease. The infection due to this bacterium results in tissue necrosis, bacteremia, gas gangrene and emphysematous cholecystis. Alpha toxin is the toxin that is released during gas gangrene disease. This toxin enters the plasma membrane in the cells which create gaps in the membrane and disturb the functions in the cell. The bacterium that enters into the digestive system will cause colic disorders, diarrhea, and nausea.
Clostridium perfringens acts on dead bodies to rapidly decompose them, which is called as tissue gas. This mechanism of bacterial action can be ceased by the addition of a chemical through a process called embalming. Eating the poisoned food might lead to the infection by C. perfringens. Some strains of this species will cause severe gastroenteritis while some strains cause mild to moderate diseases. The mild discomfort caused due to this bacterium can be treated. The common reason for getting infected by this bacterium is through contaminated meat. It was observed that it will be difficult to destroy some strains of this species.
The Clostridium perfringens bacteria produce toxins after they are multiplied inside the body through food poisoning. These toxins are actually involved in causing the disease. There is no vaccine developed for this bacterium yet. The toxins that are spread in the body may also cause death in some cases. Clostridium perfringens is the etiologic agent for gas gangrene. Based on the various different toxins that are distributed by these bacteria, they are classified into different strains.
This bacterium causes illness which is characterized by severe diarrhea and abdominal pain. These symptoms will start around 8 to 22 hours after eating food that consisted of C. perfringens that could generate the toxin creating food poisoning. Another serious condition called as necrotic enteritis or pig-bel is also caused by this bacterium. This condition can lead to the death of the infected person. This bacterial disease is estimated as most common food borne illness at United States. The disease caused by this bacterium is identified by measuring the toxins present in the stools of the infected person. Normally food poisoning by this organism results when the food is prepared long back it is served. The severe symptoms are likely to occur in elder people than young ones. Generally, large number of the cells of this bacterium will result in causing symptoms that are identifiable.
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