Clostridium difficile. Coloured Scanning Electron Micrograph (SEM) of C. difficile bacteria. The rod-shaped cells of this anaerobic,gram- positive species have a bumpy,irregular surface. C. diffi- cile normally exists in small numbers in the human gut. It can proliferate,producing a toxin that irritates the colon and causes diarrhoea,when an- tibiotic treatment kills other bacteria inhabi- ting the intestines. In severe cases this leads to pseudomembranous colitis (PMC),where mucus and dead cells build up in plaques on the walls of the colon. PMC can be treated with an antibiotic but relapses are common because the bacteria can form highly resistant spores. Magnification unknown | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Phillips, D. |
Taille de l’image : | 4980 px × 3275 px |
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