Clostridia are bacteria that form their own family. They cause various diseases that are usually treated with antibiotics. Other therapeutic approaches that promise lasting success include dietary changes and intake of pre- and probiotics.
What are clostridia?
Clostridia are gram-positive anaerobic rod-shaped bacteria that can cause different diseases in humans and animals, depending on which Clostridium bacterium it is. Clostridium difficile, for example, is present in smaller numbers (about 5%) in the gut of any healthy adult without causing problems. However, if the health-promoting intestinal bacteria are killed by taking antibiotics, such as erythromycin and clindamycin for another disease, the Clostridia multiply rapidly. They are resistant to many antibiotics. Most Clostridia species cause disease. The non-pathogenic species are nowadays used in biotechnology. According to their mode of nutrition, rod-shaped bacteria are categorized into three groups: The proteolytic Clostridia break down proteins; Clostridium acidi-urici, for example, breaks down uric acid. The saccharolytic bacteria ferment carbohydrates such as starch, cellulose and sugar to acetone, butyric acid, carbon dioxide and molecular hydrogen (H2). Hospitalized patients, people over 65 years of age, immunocompromised individuals (HIV patients, cancer patients receiving cytostatic drugs), patients taking proton pump inhibitors (PPI), and people who have disturbed intestinal flora because of long-term malnutrition (too many carbohydrates, fats, animal proteins) are particularly at risk from clortridia.
Occurrence, distribution and properties
Clostridia occur in about 5% of the intestine of healthy adults without causing harm. In infants, the proportion of rod-shaped bacteria compared with that of other intestinal bacteria is even about 80%. In the form of spores, Clostridia can survive for many years in soil and near-surface water. Except for Clostridium perfringens, all Clostridia species have a flagellum, with the help of which the anaerobic, gram-positive bacteria can move around. The bacteria are sensitive to heat, dryness and certain chemicals (disinfectants). However, the spores are insensitive to heat and can thus survive high sterilization temperatures, such as those used in food production, without damage. They get into the food by contamination with dust and soil, spoil it and inflate e.g. tin cans strongly. Since Clostridia spores, unlike bacteria, can survive well in oxygen-rich environments, they colonize door handles, toilet seats, towels, etc., and can repeatedly cause new intestinal diseases in humans. They are transmitted from person to person via inadequately washed hands after defecation. Even small amounts of bacteria or spores are sufficient for this. Other Clostridia species, such as Clostridium botulinum, are inactive after heating at 80 degrees Celsius for as little as 30 minutes.
Diseases and ailments
Clostridium difficile causes severe contagious diarrhea in hospitalized patients: the bacteria produce the toxins enterotoxin A and B, which attack the colon walls and lead to the formation of pseudomembranes. This results in increased excretion of electrolytes and fluid from the intestine. This form of reportable colitis is usually caused by the use of antibiotics, which kill much of the healthy intestinal flora. The first signs can be seen as early as 4 to 9 days after the first antibiotic is taken: Diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, and in severe cases, fever and bloody stools with a foul odor. In hospitalized patients, the worst-case scenario is dilatation of the colon, intestinal obstruction, rupture of the intestinal wall, and sepsis. A particularly virulent Clostridium difficile variant, ribotype O27, has recently been identified in Germany. It causes intestinal infections that are often fatal. Antibiotic-induced colitis can be well treated with metronidazole or vancomycin. Infusions restore the electrolyte balance disturbed by the diarrhea. Patients also need to drink plenty of fluids. Naturopathically, the intestinal infection is treated with prebiotics and probiotics. In rare cases, the colitis also disappears on its own. In a total of 6 out of 10 patients, there is a good chance of complete recovery.After the symptoms have subsided, they continue to excrete Clostridium pathogens in their stool for a few days. Whether a patient has an infection with Clostrium difficile can be determined by a rapid stool test or by culturing bacteria from the patient’s stool. Clostridium botulinum secretes botulinum toxin (Botox), a neurotoxin used in cosmetic surgery for wrinkle injections. Clostridium tetani causes tetanus (lockjaw). Clostridium perfringens causes type A food poisoning and gas gangrene. Other rod-shaped bacteria in the Clostridia family are responsible for other types of gas gangrene, intoxication blight (in sheep and cattle), fire rot, and abomasal pararacus blight. Clostridium perfringens, for example, secretes the enzymes phospholipase and lecithinase, which destroy cell walls. It feeds on fats and proteins, which it metabolizes into hydrogen sulfide, biogenic amines, and other substances. The biogenic amines are thought to cause colon cancer. For treatment, the patient is given metronidazole and for diarrhea, for example, charcoal tablets. Healing clay (bentonite) and charcoal tablets can bind the toxins so that they are excreted through the stool. It is also recommended to rebuild the healthy intestinal flora. Since all Clostridium species and their spores are highly contagious, infected hospital patients are isolated immediately. They remain there for up to three days after their infection has healed. Transmission of the spores can only be prevented by frequent hand washing with soap and water. Afterwards, hands should be dried well. Alcohol-based hand disinfection is ineffective. Sodium hypochlorite and peracetic acid are suitable for surface disinfection.
