Clostridioides difficile is the causative agent of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis
The review is devoted to the peculiar properties of the agent for Clostridioides difficile-infection, allowing persisting in the human body for a long time as well as in the extremal environments and causing the severe lesions of the colon in the patients. Data on morphology, structure and functions of the S-layer and other macromolecules of the microbe cell wall are presented. The processes of spore formation and germination, their structure as well as the process of biofilm formation are considered. The toxins TcdA, TcdB and CDT are described: structure, genetic control and molecular mechanisms of action. The genome and mobile genetic elements (MGE) of C. difficile, their participation in the variability, adaptation, and evolution of the pathogen are characterized. Data on the antibiotic resistance of C. difficile and role of MGE in C. difficile dissemination are presented. The pathogenesis of the infection is described in detail. The unique properties indicate high pathogenic potential and the great difficulties to combat C. difficile.