What is Clostridioides difficile?
Clostridioides difficile, formerly known as Clostridium difficile, is an organism that causes life-threatening diarrhea and inflammation of the colon, known as pseudomembranous colitis. The primary risk factor for C. difficile is overuse of antibiotics. Those who have been recently hospitalized, are in a nursing home, are 65 years or older, or have a weakened immune system are also at increased risk. Clostridioides difficile is found in stool and is spread by hands and surfaces contaminated with infected stool.
