Clostridium chauvoei

Clostridium chauvoei is an anaerobic, motile, Gram-positive bacterium. In cattle and sheep, a severe infection causes blackleg. Clostridial diseases are considered soil-borne diseases and Clostridium chauvoei, specifically, is known to cause blackleg disease in humans and animals. As it is considered a soil-borne disease, scientists have found a correlation between flooding and the amount of bacteria found in the soil - the spores are redistributed to then contaminate soils, pastures, and water. A study conducted in Taiwan sought to test this correlation by using nucleic acid to extract Clostridium chauvoei from the soil before and after flooding. For the first time, there is evidence to show that the environmental distribution of Clostridium chauvoei is increased after flooding.