Clostridioides difficile, commonly known as C. diff , is a bacterium that has long been associated with healthcare settings, particularly among hospitalized patients and those taking antibiotics. However, in recent years, researchers have begun to examine whether C. diff could also be a foodborne pathogen, raising important questions about how we understand its transmission and prevention.

What Is C. diff?

C. diff is a spore-forming bacterium that can cause serious intestinal conditions, most notably Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). This infection leads to symptoms such as severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and in extreme cases, colitis, sepsis, or even death. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that nearly 500,000 CDI cases occur annually in the U.S., resulti

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