STRUCTURE AND PHYSIOLOGY
- I am a rod shaped, Gram-positive; obligate anaerobe possessing the ability to form endospores.
- My species are part of the normal human gut flora, generating spores that are very resistant to chemical and environmental conditions
TRANSMISSION AND DISEASE
- I am associated with hospital acquired infections and known to cause antibiotic assisted colitis. Any surface, device, or material (e.g., toilets, bathing tubs) that becomes contaminated with feces may serve as a reservoir for my spores. My spores are transferred to patients mainly via the hands of healthcare personnel who have touched a contaminated surface or item. I can live for long periods on surfaces.
TREATMENT OF INFECTION
- Treatment of any primary infection caused by me is done using antibiotics such as metronidazole, vancomycin, or fidaxomicin.
DISINFECTION
- Due to my increased resistance to antimicrobials, I serve as a benchmark for studying sporicidal and sterilant activities of chemicals.