Clostridium perfringens

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Clostridium perfringens

Clostridium perfringens

bacteria

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June 24, 2026

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Clostridium perfringens — Clostridium perfringens Clostridium perfringens bacteria from an infected human gall bladder.

Clostridium perfringens is a type of bacteria found in soil and the intestinal tracts of humans and animals. It thrives in environments without oxygen and can form dormant cells resistant to heat and chemicals.1

This bacterium is a significant cause of illness. In humans, C. perfringens can lead to food poisoning, characterized by diarrhea and abdominal cramps, typically occurring 8 to 24 hours after consuming contaminated meat products. It can also cause gas gangrene and enteritis necroticans. In livestock, C. perfringens is responsible for various gastrointestinal diseases.23

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clostridial infection
Enterotoxins produced by Clostridium perfringens cause several gastrointestinal diseases in sheep, including lamb dysentery, struck, and pulpy kidney. Exotoxins produced by C. perfringens also cause disease in humans, including gas gangrene, enteritis necroticans, and food poisoning. Botulism, a type of poisoning arising from improperly
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Enterotoxins produced by Clostridium perfringens cause several gastrointestinal diseases in sheep, including lamb dysentery, struck, and pulpy kidney. Exotoxins produced by C. perfringens also cause disease in humans, including gas gangrene, enteritis necroticans, and food poisoning. Botulism, a type of poisoning arising from improperly
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clostridium
C. perfringens, C. novyi, and C. septicum can cause gangrene in humans. C. perfringens is also a source of foodborne illness, occurring on raw meat and poultry. Other forms of acute clostridial infection commonly occur in livestock and
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C. perfringens, C. novyi, and C. septicum can cause gangrene in humans. C. perfringens is also a source of foodborne illness, occurring on raw meat and poultry. Other forms of acute clostridial infection commonly occur in livestock and
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meat processing
Food-poisoning microorganisms
…of causing food-poisoning intoxication include Clostridium perfringens (found in temperature-abused cooked meats—i.e., meats that have not been stored, cooked, or reheated at the appropriate temperatures), Staphylococcus aureus (found in cured meats), and Clostridium botulinum (found in canned meats).
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…of causing food-poisoning intoxication include Clostridium perfringens (found in temperature-abused cooked meats—i.e., meats that have not been stored, cooked, or reheated at the appropriate temperatures), Staphylococcus aureus (found in cured meats), and Clostridium botulinum (found in canned meats).
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bacteria
Growth of bacterial populations
For example, Clostridium perfringens, one of the fastest-growing bacteria, has an optimum generation time of about 10 minutes; Escherichia coli can double every 20 minutes; and the slow-growing Mycobacterium tuberculosis has a generation time in the range of 12 to 16 hours. Some researchers have suggested that…
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For example, Clostridium perfringens, one of the fastest-growing bacteria, has an optimum generation time of about 10 minutes; Escherichia coli can double every 20 minutes; and the slow-growing Mycobacterium tuberculosis has a generation time in the range of 12 to 16 hours. Some researchers have suggested that…
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