clostridium

Genus of spore-forming, mostly gram-positive, bacteria of bacillaceae family that can survive boiling water and absence of oxygen (is anaerobic). Found commonly in soil and animal and human intestine, this pathogenic microorganism causes botulism, food poisoning, gas gangrene, infection of wounds, and tetanus. Its name comes from the Greek word 'kloster,' spindle, because of its shape when forming spores.