C. diff

noun

ˈsē-ˈdif 

variants or less commonly C-diff

plural C. diff also C-diff

: a rod-shaped, spore-producing, gram-positive bacterial clostridium (Clostridium difficile) that occurs widely in soil and water and sometimes in human and animal intestines and that may produce a toxin causing intestinal illness (such as diarrhea) especially in those receiving antibiotic therapy

Many healthy people harbor a few C. diff among the millions of bacteria in the colon. When C. diff hangs out in the form of inert spores, it's harmless. But if antibiotic therapy knocks off the normal bacteria, C. diff springs to life, producing two toxins that attack the colon.

—Harvey B. Simon

Examples of C. diff in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The first was approved almost exactly one year ago to treat a bowel disorder called Clostridium difficile infections, more commonly known as C. diff. —Allison Deangelis, STAT, 22 Nov. 2023

Research from 2018 associated trehalose with a rise in C. diff infections but newer research disputed this claim. —Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 21 Apr. 2023

Certain drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea are on its list of urgent superbugs, as is Clostridioides difficile, or C. diff, which can cause life-threatening diarrhea and colon inflammation. —Caroline Hopkins, NBC News, 29 Mar. 2023

Federal regulators approved the first fecal bacteria therapy for fighting C. diff. —Ryan Cross, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Jan. 2023

Here's one example: There's a bad infection called C. diff that involves the gastrointestinal tract. —Stephanie Emma Pfeffer, Peoplemag, 3 Jan. 2023

Probiotics have also not been found to prevent C. diff. —Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 26 Dec. 2022

Christian John Lillis, the executive director of the C. diff advocacy organization the Peggy Lillis Foundation. —Kate Sheridan and Allison Deangelis, STAT, 30 Nov. 2022

Additionally, the study found that antibiotics increase the risk of C. diff, a bacterial infection that can be life-threatening; allergic reactions; and skin rashes. —Brenda Goodman, CNN, 22 Nov. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1990, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

C. diff

noun

ˈsē-ˈdif 

variants also C-diff

plural C. diff also C-diff

: a rod-shaped, spore-producing, gram-positive bacterium (Clostridium difficile) that occurs widely in soil and water and sometimes in human and animal intestines and that may produce a toxin causing intestinal illness (such as diarrhea) especially in those receiving antibiotic therapy

Many healthy people harbor a few C. diff among the millions of bacteria in the colon.

—Harvey B. Simon

Anyone admitted to the hospital with diarrhea and a recent history of using antibiotics or other drugs linked to C. diff infections is isolated immediately and tested for the bacteria.

—Peter Eisler

C-diff, as it's called, is a rising problem across North America and in parts of Europe.

—Ben Harder