Clostridium tetani
Clostridial species are one of the major causes of food poisoning/gastrointestinal illnesses. They are anaerobic, gram-positive, spore-forming rods that occur naturally in the soil. Among the family are: "Clostridium botulinum", which produces one of the most potent toxins in existence; "Clostridium tetani", causative agent of tetanus; and "Clostridium perfringens", commonly found in wound infections and diarrhea cases. The use of toxins to damage the host is a method deployed by many bacterial pathogens.