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Updated: May 25, 2026
11:13
Culturing and Maintaining Clostridium difficile in an Anaerobic Environment
Published on: September 14, 2013
Clostridium difficile: the anaerobe that made the grade.
1UK Anaerobe Reference Laboratory, Microbiology Dept, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK. jsandonbrazier@talktalk.net
Anaerobe
|February 2, 2012
Summary
Clostridium difficile, or C. diff, has become a notorious superbug causing severe hospital-acquired infections. This report highlights key events, especially in the UK, tracking its rise in public and political attention.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Clostridium difficile is an anaerobic bacterium previously of niche interest.
- It has emerged as a significant cause of hospital-acquired infections.
- Its notoriety has grown, paralleling that of other resistant pathogens like MRSA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the rise of Clostridium difficile in public and political awareness.
- To identify key historical moments in the UK related to C. difficile awareness.
- To contextualize C. difficile as a significant public health concern.
Main Methods:
- Historical review of C. difficile awareness.
- Analysis of public and political discourse in the UK.
- Tracking of C. difficile outbreaks and their impact.
Main Results:
- Clostridium difficile has transitioned from obscurity to public infamy.
- Hospital-acquired infections caused by C. diff are linked to severe illness and mortality.
- The UK has seen a notable increase in attention towards this pathogen.
Conclusions:
- Clostridium difficile is now a recognized public health threat.
- Increased awareness has led to greater scrutiny of C. diff infections.
- The organism's impact extends beyond clinical settings into public and political spheres.
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