Clostridia of Wound Infection

Abstract

Although this book is addressed primarily to the medical bacteriologist, and notwithstanding its restrictive title, it contains a comprehensive description of all the important pathogenic clostridia of veterinary interest, with the exception of Clostridium botulinum. The morphological, cultural and biochemical characteristics of these organisms are given in considerable detail. The properties of the antigens and toxins are also carefully and clearly described. An attractive feature of this book is the most interesting account of the history leading up to the present knowledge and classification of the clostridia. The chapter on Clostridium novyi, however, while providing the esoteric information that type C has been isolated in an outbreak of osteomyelitis in water buffaloes, surprisingly does not mention the association of type B with fascioliasis. With over 2, 000 references, this book fully justifies the publishers' claim to provide a comprehensive reference tool for anyone engaged in research on clostridia or any related subject. The account of the wide variation in the number and type of clostridia found in the soil in different places could be of veterinary interest. This has been reflected in human medicine by the records of the proportions and type of wound infections occurring in different war zones. The treatment of human clostridial wound infections is discussed and, except perhaps for the account of the management of cases of tetanus, is of little veterinary interest. This is not a book for the veterinary clinician, but should be available to any microbiologist who has an interest in the pathogenic clostridia.-WLGA.