Clostridium /-ē·əm/ [Gk, kloster, spindle] , a genus of spore-forming anaerobic bacteria of the Bacillaceae family: Clostridium novyi, C. septicum, and C. bifermentans are involved in gas gangrene; C. botulinum causes botulism and produces the toxin Botox used in some cosmetic procedures; C. perfringens causes food poisoning, cellulitis, and wound infections; C. tetani is the cause of tetanus.
