Clostridium difficile

Clostridium difficile (Author: Nephron, Wikimedia Commons)

Clostridium difficle is a gram positive bacteria of the family Clostridiaceae. They are part of the normal flora, so known as a commensal bacteria. The problem arises when the bacteria competing within the host are destroyed by antibiotics.

C. difficle become overpopulated, and begin to produce pathogenic strains producing toxins, namely enterotoxin and cytotoxin. These may cause diarrhoea, and abdominal pains, or pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) under more severe circumstances.

It is a motile bacteria, showing optimal growth on blood agar.

Clostridium difficile Learning Resources
Literature Search Search for recent publications via CAB Abstract (CABI log in required)	Clostridium difficile in meat publications C. difficile in dogs publications C. difficile in cats publications C. difficile in horses publications C. difficile in farm animals publications

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