About C. diff
The elusive bacterium that wreaks havoc on human lives
The pain was a different kind of pain, fatigue, night sweats, the feeling like someone was poking me with a curling iron. OMG.”
Clostridioides difficile, formerly known as Clostridium difficile and commonly called C. diff, is one of the most widespread pathogens and the leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea worldwide.
Symptoms of a C. diff infection (CDI) include excruciating abdominal pain and, in severe cases, colitis and death. It is primarily contracted in healthcare settings, where frequent antibiotic use and close contact across vulnerable populations create an environment conducive to rampant spread and reinfection. Ironically, the very institutions people visit to heal can become danger zones.
C. diff was my rock bottom in life and I went into a very dark place mentally.”
Beyond the physical agony, the constant risk of reinfection, prolonged periods of illness, and damage to the gut microbiome can take an emotional toll on patients. Studies suggest that a past C. diff infection is associated with a higher risk of depression relative to the general population.
A pervasive threat
Globally, C. diff is one of the most prevalent and dangerous pathogens, especially within hospital settings. In the United States alone, there are on average:
Healthcare institutions need better tools to pinpoint the pathogen’s location, enabling cleaning techniques to precisely target and disinfect C. diff spores.
I thought I was going to die. I just had a baby and felt useless. I kept telling my husband he and the baby were better off without me.”
Why are C. diff spores so resistant to cleaners?
C. diff spores are like tiny, impenetrable fortresses that stay dormant for months or years on surfaces. Their physical structure makes them especially resistant to disinfectants.
Challenges in making the hazard visible
Environmental service and infection prevention experts have made great strides in protecting patients. But determining whether C. diff spores are present on commonly touched surfaces such as bedrails, glove boxes, and shower fixtures remains a major challenge.
A better way forward
Reddit, r/cdifficile, March 25, 2025
Guh AY, Mu Y, Williams D, et al. Trends in U.S. burden of Clostridioides difficile infection and outcomes. N Engl J Med. 2020;382(14):1320-1330. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1910215.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection: About. https://www.cdc.gov/c-diff/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/cdiff/what-is.html. Published December 18, 2024. Accessed April 2, 2025.
Desai K, Gerding DN, Mu Y, et al. Epidemiological and economic burden of Clostridium difficile in the United States: estimates from a modeling approach. BMC Infect Dis. 2016;16:303. doi:10.1186/s12879-016-1610-3.
Lawler A, Lambert P, et al. A revised understanding of Clostridium difficile spore germination. Trends in Microbiology. 2020;28(9):744-752. doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2020.03.004.