Clostridioides difficile in Animal Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A One Health Perspective on Emerging Zoonotic Threats

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in animals, a multifactorial gastrointestinal disorder marked by chronic inflammation, has increasingly been linked to Clostridioides difficile infections. Recognized for its pathogenic role in human pseudomembranous colitis, C. difficile is now emerging as a critical agent in veterinary medicine, particularly in livestock (e.g., cattle, pigs), companion animals (dogs, cats), and wildlife. Over the past five years, evidence has highlighted its association with IBD-like syndromes in animals, driven by toxin-mediated mechanisms (TcdA/TcdB), antibiotic-induced dysbiosis, and environmental spore transmission. This opinion article synthesizes recent findings on C. difficile's zoonotic potential, diagnostic ambiguities (e.g., distinguishing colonization from active infection), and therapeutic challenges, including antibiotic resistance. We emphasize the urgent need for integrated One Health strategies to mitigate risks to animal and human health, advocating for improved surveillance, novel therapies, and interdisciplinary research.