Antibiotic resistance, virulence factors and genetics of Clostridium sordellii

Clostridium sordellii is gram positive bacterial pathogen of humans and animals. While the incidence of human-related C. sordellii infection is low, the mortality rate associated with infection is high. Of particular concern are C. sordellii infections after child-birth or medical abortion, which have an almost 100% mortality rate. Recent genetic and epidemiological work has increased our understanding of how this pathogen has evolved and how it causes disease. This review will summarise studies involving the genetics of C. sordellii, including an antibiotic resistance profile, the genetic determinants of virulence and mutagenesis of C. sordellii.