AEMCA Practice Exam

What causes the overgrowth of C. difficile in the body?

1. Consuming spoiled food

2. Use of specific antibiotics

3. Exposure to contaminated water

4. Contact with infected individuals

The correct answer is: Use of specific antibiotics

The overgrowth of Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) in the body is primarily caused by the use of specific antibiotics. Antibiotics can disrupt the normal balance of gut microbiota, which usually acts as a protective barrier against infections. When these beneficial bacteria are diminished due to antibiotic treatment, it allows C. difficile, which may have been present in small numbers, to proliferate unchecked. This rapid growth can lead to symptoms ranging from mild diarrhea to severe colitis. While the other choices may contribute to various infections or conditions, they do not directly explain the mechanism behind C. difficile overgrowth in the gut. Spoiled food can lead to food poisoning from different pathogens, contaminated water is more associated with other gastrointestinal infections, and contact with infected individuals may facilitate the spread of C. difficile spores but does not inherently lead to overgrowth unless the gut flora is already disrupted. The key factor in the context of C. difficile infection is the modification of the gut microbiome due to antibiotic use.