Bacterium
Clostridioides difficile
Spore-forming anaerobic rod
klos-TRID-ee-OY-deez dih-FIH-sil
High-yield clue
Spore-forming anaerobe + toxin + antibiotic-associated colitis vocabulary.
Overview
A spore-forming anaerobic rod used to teach toxin-mediated colitis vocabulary and disruption of normal flora concepts.
Classification
- Gram-positive
- Rod
- Anaerobe
- Spore-former
Lab & identification clues
- Toxin testing vocabulary
- Spore-forming rod
- Anaerobic growth concept
Associations
- Pseudomembranous colitis vocabulary
- Normal flora disruption
- Infection-control concepts
Commonly confused with
- Clostridium perfringens
- Bacillus species
Frequently asked questions
What is Clostridioides difficile?
A spore-forming anaerobic rod used to teach toxin-mediated colitis vocabulary and disruption of normal flora concepts.
What is the Gram stain of Clostridioides difficile?
Clostridioides difficile is Gram positive.
What are the lab clues for Clostridioides difficile?
Lab clues for Clostridioides difficile include Toxin testing vocabulary, Spore-forming rod, and Anaerobic growth concept.
What is Clostridioides difficile commonly confused with?
Clostridioides difficile is commonly confused with Clostridium perfringens and Bacillus species.
Original student-study summary. Sources checked: OpenStax Microbiology 2e, NCBI Bookshelf Medical Microbiology, and CDC topic pages where applicable; reviewed 2026-06. Educational only; no diagnosis, treatment, dosing, or specimen-handling guidance.