Explore the recorded discovery and history of Clostridioides difficile, with source links and stated limits.
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.
LPSN records Hall and O’Toole’s earlier Bacillus difficilis name from 1935. This does not establish the first infected human.
The earlier Clostridium difficile combination is attributed to Prévot in 1938.
The accepted Clostridioides difficile combination is published in 2016.
These references do not establish the first human infection. Naming, isolation and recognition milestones do not date biological origin or patient zero.
Source check: 2026-09-19. Educational content; independent scientific review remains pending.