Can Clostridium difficile form spores?

Clostridioides difficile (formerly Clostridium difficile; Lawson et al., 2016; Oren and Garrity, 2016) is a Gram-positive, spore-forming, toxin-producing, anaerobic bacterium which has established itself as a leading cause of nosocomial antibiotic-associated diarrhea in the developed countries (Sebaihia et al., 2006).

How does C diff produce spores?

Spores from C. difficile bacteria are passed in feces and spread to food, surfaces and objects when people who are infected don’t wash their hands thoroughly. These spores can persist in a room for weeks or months. If you touch a surface contaminated with C.

How does Clostridioides difficile grow?

difficile to thrive2. C. difficile is transmitted as a dormant spore via the fecal-oral route and subsequently germinates within the gastrointestinal tract, producing vegetative cells capable of generating several toxins and causing severe disease and colitis3.

Can C diff spores be inhaled?

The researchers emphasized that there is no evidence that C. difficile can be contracted by inhaling the germs. Rather, they float on the air, landing in places where more people can touch them.

Where do C difficile spores germinate in the body?

In susceptible patients, C. difficile spores germinate in the colon to form the vegetative cells that initiate Clostridium difficile infections (CDI).

What is the role of spore formation in CDI?

Spore formation and their subsequent germination play critical roles in C. difficile infection (CDI) progress. Under suitable conditions, C. difficile spores will germinate and outgrow to produce the pathogenic vegetative form.

Which is the transmissible morphotype of Clostridium difficile?

Due to its strict anaerobic requirements, the infectious and transmissible morphotype is the dormant spore. In susceptible patients, C. difficile spores germinate in the colon to form the vegetative cells that initiate Clostridium difficile infections (CDI).

How is CDI responsible for the persistence of C difficile?

During CDI, C. difficile induces a sporulation pathway that produces more spores; these spores are responsible for the persistence of C. difficile in patients and horizontal transmission between hospitalized patients.