clostridium

clostridium, (genus Clostridium), any of a genus of rod-shaped, usually gram-positive bacteria, members of which are found in soil, water, and the intestinal tracts of humans and other animals. Most species grow only in the complete absence of oxygen. Dormant cells are highly resistant to heat, desiccation, and toxic chemicals and detergents. The species are variable in size. A typical species, Clostridium butyricum, ranges from 0.6 μm across by 3 to 7 μm long. Several...