clostridium

American  

[klo-strid-ee-uhm] / klɒˈstrɪd i əm /

noun

Bacteriology.

plural

clostridia

1. any of several rod-shaped, spore-forming, anaerobic bacteria of the genus Clostridium, found in soil and in the intestinal tract of humans and animals.

---

clostridium British  

/ klɒˈstrɪdɪəm /

noun

1. any anaerobic typically rod-shaped bacterium of the genus Clostridium , occurring mainly in soil, but also in the intestines of humans and animals: family Bacillaceae . The genus includes the species causing botulism and tetanus

---

Other Word Forms

• clostridial
  adjective
• clostridian
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of clostridium

1880–85; < New Latin < Greek klōstr-, variant stem of klōstḗr spindle ( klōs-, variant stem of klṓthein ( see Clotho) + -tēr agent suffix) + New Latin -idium -idium

Example Sentences

However, they cautioned that there was no definitive proof that clostridium botulinum had killed Neruda, "nor that it was intentionally used to do so".

From BBC • Sep. 23, 2023

Served at the improper temperature, smoked fish, for example, can carry dangerous bacteria called clostridium botulinum.

From New York Times • Jun. 5, 2018

They include clostridium, E coli and campylobacter, which cause gastroenteritis.

From The Guardian • Oct. 31, 2016

Some common zoonotic bacteria include clostridium, E. coli, salmonella and campylobacter, which can cause severe gastrointestinal disease in humans, said Dr. Leni Kaplan, a lecturer of community-practice service at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 21, 2016

In the late-stage study, fidaxomicin proved to be as efficacious as existing standard of care Vancocin in treating clostridium difficile infection -- a bacterial infection in the gut.

From Reuters • Feb. 4, 2010