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Updated: Apr 27, 2026

A Protocol to Characterize the Morphological Changes of Clostridium difficile in Response to Antibiotic Treatment
Published on: May 25, 2017
Detecting Clostridium difficile spores from inanimate surfaces of the hospital environment: which method is best?
Tânia Claro1, Stephen Daniels2, Hilary Humphreys3
1Department of Clinical Microbiology, Education and Research Centre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland tpedrosaclaro@rcsi.ie.
Abstract:
The recovery of Clostridium difficile spores from hospital surfaces was assessed using rayon swabs, flocked swabs, and contact plates. The contact plate method was less laborious, achieved higher recovery percentages, and detected spores at lower inocula than swabs. Rayon swabs were the least efficient method. However, further studies are required in health care settings.
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