<unk>  is a common soil bacterium and the causative agent of<unk> s. Vegetative cells of<unk>  are usually rod-shaped and up to 2.5 μm long, but they become enlarged and tennis racket- or drumstick-shaped when forming spores.<unk>  spores are extremely hardy and can be found globally in soil or in the gastrointestinal tract of animals. If inoculated into a wound,<unk>  can grow and produce a potent toxin,<unk> spasmin, which interferes with motor neurons, causing<unk> s. The toxin's action can be prevented with<unk> s toxoid vaccines, which are often administered to children worldwide.
Clostridium tetani
Clostridium innocuum
Clostridium ramosum
Bacteroides caccae
Bacillus cereus
Clostridium perfringens
Bacteroides dorei
Clostridium botulinum