Dysbiosis & C. difficile Infection

DYSBIOSIS AND C. diff Infection

DYSBIOSIS IS MOST OFTEN CAUSED BY ENVIRONMENTAL
FACTORS, INCLUDING ANTIBIOTICS1

HOMEOSTASIS

Normal microbiome

During homeostasis, the microbiota is composed of diverse organisms known to benefit host health

STRESS DIET HYGIENE USE OF ANTIMICROBIALS

DYSBIOSIS

Pathobiont
expansion
Reduced
diversity
Loss of beneficial microbes

Dysbiosis is the disruption of the
composition and/or diversity of the
gut microbiome

References: 1. Petersen C, Round JL. Cellular Microbial. 2014;16(7):1024-1033. 2. Bien J, et al. Ther Adv Gastroenterol. 2013;6(1):53-68. 3. Staley C, et al. Arch Med Res. 2017;48(8):766-773.

DYSBIOSIS AND C. diff Infection

DISRUPTION OF THE GUT MICROBIOME LEADS TO AN ENVIRONMENT
SUITED FOR THE PROLIFERATION OF CLOSTRIDIOIDES DIFFICILE 2,3

The gut microbiota generally play a role in colonization resistance by which the native organisms prevent pathogenic microbes from flourishing.2,3

When the relationship between the gut and its healthy flora becomes imbalanced, dysbiosis results…leading to an intestinal microenvironment susceptible to pathogenic insult from opportunistic bacteria, such as C. difficile—capable of causing a wide spectrum of symptoms ranging from mild diarrhea to sepsis.2

References: 1. Petersen C, Round JL. Cellular Microbial. 2014;16(7):1024-1033. 2. Bien J, et al. Ther Adv Gastroenterol. 2013;6(1):53-68. 3. Staley C, et al. Arch Med Res. 2017;48(8):766-773.