Clostridioides difficile
Synonym(s): C. difficile, Clostridium difficile
Introduction
Classification
Taxonomy
- Family: Peptostreptococcaceae.
- Genus: Clostridioides.
- Species: difficile.
Etymology
- Latin: difficile - difficult; refers to the unusual difficulty encountered in its isolation and study.
Distribution
- Worldwide.
Significance
- Causes antibiotic-induced enterocolitis in humans, hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits (rats and mice are not affected).
- Causes diarrhea (not associated with antibiotics) in dogs, pigs and foals.
- Clostridioides difficile is the cause of antibiotic-induced pseudomembranous colitis in human beings.
- Also associated with natural diarrheal disease in dogs, foals, bears, and laboratory animals.
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Resting Forms
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Clinical Effects
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Diagnosis
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Weese J S, Staempfli H R, Prescott J F et al (2001) The roles of Clostridium difficile and enterotoxigenic Clostridium perfringens in diarrhea in dogs. J Vet Intern Med 15 (4), 374-378 PubMed.
- Struble A L, Tang Y J, Kass P H et al (1994) Fecal shedding of Clostridium difficile in dogs - a period prevalence survey in a veterinary medical teaching hospital. J Vet Diag Invest 6 (3), 342-347 PubMed.
- Riley T V, Adams J E, O'Neill G L et al (1991) Gastrointestinal carriage of Clostridium difficile in cats and dogs attending veterinary clinics. Epidemiol Infec 107 (3), 659-665 PubMed.
- Berry A P & Levett P N (1986) Chronic diarrhea in dogs associated with Clostridium difficile infection. Vet Rec 118 (4), 102-103 PubMed.