[Studies on Clostridium absonum isolates from clinical specimens].

Two strains of Clostridium absonum isolated from clinical specimens and a type strain were tested for heat resistance of spores, biochemical properties and neutralization of their lecithinase by anti-C. perfringens alpha toxin antiserum. In addition, the usefulness of RapID ANA (AMUCO) and ANIDENT (API) kits for the identification of C. absonum was examined. The results were summarized as follows: 1. C. absonum isolates from clinical specimens were resistant against heating at 70 degrees C for 10 min and a type strain against heating at 85 degrees C for 10 min, less resistant than those of C. perfringens BP6K. 2. C. absonum differentiated from C. perfringens in fermentation of trehalose, melibiose and raffinose, and hydrosis of esculin and starch. 3. Lecithinase of C. absonum was not completely neutralized by anti-C. perfringens alpha toxin antiserum. 4. Both RapID ANA and ANIDENT kits were useful for differentiation of C. absonum from C. perfringens but not for the identification of C. absonum.