Posted: May 22nd, 2023

Clostridium Perfringens Bacteria

Clostridium perfringens is a bacterium with a characteristic thick cell wall that, like that of all other gram-positive bacteria, is made of peptidoglycan. This property classifies it in the gram-positive group of bacteria. This chemical causes the purple stain when a gram stain procedure is performed on them. They have a wide range of habitats including animals’ intestines where it exists as normal flora as well as in soil. They may also be found in sewage. However, they are more likely to be found in foodstuff especially improperly cooked meat products. Unlike many living things, this bacterium grows and lives in the absence of free oxygen and is therefore referred to as anaerobic. The bacterium also grows best at a pH close to neutral ranging between 6.5 and 7.5 values (Novak, 2003, p. 387). This bacterium reproduces through the production of spores which are more persistent in soil and human feces.