| Clostridia | |
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| Clostridium botulinum | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Bacteria |
| Kingdom: | Bacillati |
| Phylum: | Bacillota |
| Class: | Clostridia Rainey 2010 |
| Groups included | |
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| Cladistically included but traditionally excluded taxa | |
| Synonyms | |
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TheClostridia are a highlypolyphyletic class ofBacillota, includingClostridium and other similar genera. They are distinguished from theBacilli by lackingaerobic respiration. They areobligate anaerobes and oxygen is toxic to them. Species of the class Clostridia are often but not alwaysGram-positive (seeHalanaerobium) and have the ability to form spores.[1] Studies show they are not amonophyletic 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 genusClostridium aresaprophytic organisms that ferment plant polysaccharides[2] and are found in many places in the environment, most notably the soil. However, the genus does contain some human pathogens (outlined below). The toxins produced by certain members of the genusClostridium are among the most dangerous known. Examples are tetanus toxin (known astetanospasmin) produced byC. tetani andbotulinum toxin produced byC. botulinum. Some species have been isolated from women withbacterial vaginosis.[3]
Notable species of this class include:[citation needed]
Heliobacteria andChristensenella are also members of the class Clostridia.
Some of the enzymes produced by this group are used inbioremediation.
The currently accepted taxonomy is based on theList of Prokaryotic names with Standing in Nomenclature (LPSN)[4] andNational Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)[5]
| 16S rRNA basedLTP_10_2024[6][7][8] | 120 marker proteins basedGTDB 09-RS220[9][10][11] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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.[1] Although the body does not have adequate defenses alone, this microbe can be controlled with the help of antibiotics, like penicillin, and tissuedebridement for the more severe cases.[citation needed]
Clostridia bacteria are commonly found in thegut microbiome.[12]
Overuse of antibiotics can cause imbalance of the gut microbiome, leading to overgrowth of the speciesClostridioides difficile causing aserious infection (CDI).[13] Effects of this infection include severe diarrhea and the severity of many bowel related diseases is also increased as a result of the infection. OtherClostridium bacteria in the gut have been linked to brain connectivity and healthy function.[14]
Patients that have been subjected tofecal microbiota transplants to treat their CDI have seen improvements in their mood andmental health.[13] This preliminary research seems to suggest a tentative link between the presence ofClostridia 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.[citation needed]