Antibiotic Resistance Gene Makes C. difficile Spores Tougher

Monash University researchers found that an antibiotic resistance gene helps Clostridioides difficile build tougher spores that survive hospital-grade disinfectants and high laundry temperatures. The study, published in Nature Communications, is the first to link antibiotic resistance to bacterial spores.

• The resistance gene replaces a key protein used to build spores
• Resulting spores survive hospital disinfectants and hot washing
• First study to link antibiotic resistance and spore formation
• C. difficile causes potentially deadly diarrhea in sick patients