Clostridium sporogenes is the name given to strains of Clostridium botulinum that do not produce botulinum neurotoxins. Like other strains of C. botulinum, it is an anaerobic Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium that produces oval, subterminal endospores and is commonly found in soil. It is being investigated as a way to deliver cancer-treating drugs to tumours in patients.[2]
C. sporogenes is often used as a surrogate for C. botulinum when testing the efficacy of commercial sterilisation.[3]