clostridium
noun
clos·trid·i·um
| \ klä-ˈstri-dē-əm
\
\
plural clostridia\ klä-ˈstri-dē-ə
\
\
Definition of clostridium
: any of a genus (Clostridium) of spore-forming mostly anaerobic soil or intestinal bacteria — see botulinum, c. diff, gas gangrene, tetanus
Keep scrolling for more
Other Words from clostridium
clostridial
\ klä-ˈstri-dē-əl
\
adjective
\
adjective
Examples of clostridium in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Streptococcus A is the bacteria that causes most cases of nectrotizing fasciitis, but Shamoon noted that other types of bacteria, including staph, clostridium, E.coli, and pseudomonas, also can lead to the infection. — Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, "Wanna swim? Here's how to protect yourself from bacteria, parasites," 4 July 2019 She was also diagnosed with clostridium difficile — also known as C.diff — infection, which causes inflammation in the colon. — Jessica Seaman, The Denver Post, "At least one death, “hundreds of severe infections” linked to Porter hospital’s use of contaminated surgical instruments, lawsuit alleges," 16 June 2019 All three have required intensive care treatment with an anti-toxin that counteracts the effects of a neurotoxin produced by clostridium botulinum, the bacteria that causes wound botulism. — Paul Sisson, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Wound botulism hospitalizes three black tar heroin users," 10 Apr. 2018 Specifically, scientists recovered and cultured clostridium difficile, demonstrating that the exact same bug circulating in human outbreaks is also found in mice. — Melanie Grayce West, WSJ, "Mice in New York Carry Rare and Dangerous Diseases, Study Finds," 17 Apr. 2018 So and So's, Sunday's event unfolded as a single version of Margot closely resembling the 2014 edition that shut down because of Edwards' health issues related to a diagnosis of C. Diff, or clostridium difficile colitis. — David Lindquist, Indianapolis Star, "5 ways Richard Edwards made Nuclear sounds on New Year’s Eve," 1 Jan. 2018 This can prevent infections such as clostridium difficile. — Paul Sisson, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Report: Some hospital infection rates too high," 3 Feb. 2018 Edwards dissolved the Margot & the Nuclear So & So's name in 2014, a year in which he was diagnosed with C. Diff, or clostridium difficile colitis. — David Lindquist, Indianapolis Star, "Richard Edwards will look back at Margot to ring in ‘18," 11 Dec. 2017 Doctors who want to test patients for clostridium difficile regardless of symptoms can still order one. — Melanie Evans, WSJ, "To Curb Unnecessary Care, Hospitals Use Physician Alerts," 12 Sep. 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'clostridium.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for clostridium
clostridium
noun
clos·trid·i·um
| \ kläs-ˈtrid-ē-əm
\
\
Medical Definition of clostridium
1
capitalized
: a genus of saprophytic rod-shaped or spindle-shaped usually gram-positive bacteria (family Clostridiaceae) that are anaerobic or require very little free oxygen and are nearly cosmopolitan in soil, water, sewage, and animal and human intestines, that are very active biochemically comprising numerous fermenters of carbohydrates with vigorous production of acid and gas, many nitrogen-fixers, and others which rapidly putrefy proteins, and that include important pathogens — see blackleg, botulism, c. diff, gas gangrene, tetanus bacillus
2
plural clostridia\ -ē-ə
\
a
: any bacterium of the genus Clostridium
Other Words from clostridium
clostridial
\ -ē-əl
\
adjective
\
adjective