A spore-forming bacterium with distinct colonization and infection states. Explore its illustrative 3D model, human context, and sources.
C. difficile is a spore-forming bacterium that can be carried without illness. Toxigenic strains can cause diarrhea and inflammation of the colon, often during or after antibiotic use disrupts the gut microbiome. A positive test alone can reflect colonization. This 3D view depicts a growing vegetative rod, not a dormant spore.
Compatible symptoms and laboratory evidence distinguish infection from colonization. Diarrhea during or after antibiotics also has other possible causes.
Vegetative, Gram-positive rod; flagellar expression varies; no spore depicted. Original educational illustration, not a microscopy reconstruction. Colours, layer thicknesses, contents, appendage counts and dimensions are schematic. Viewer motion is a turntable. Independent scientific review pending. The generation-time card uses a separate, condition-specific laboratory reference; the 3D phenotype and animation substages are illustrative, not measured growth dynamics of that strain.
Source check: 2026-09-19. Educational content; independent scientific review remains pending.