Credit: Young lab, University of MIchigan Medical School
The effect of C. difficile on the mouse gut:
Left, 24 hours after exposure: Cells of colon lining are normal
Center, 30 hours after exposure: C. difficile toxin has started to damage cells, triggering inflammation & fluid buildup
Right, 36 hours after exposure: Inflamed cells burst & die. C. difficile spores leave colon via diarrhea & await next host.