C. difficile symptoms preclude participants from attending research study visits.

The study is being done to identify types of bacteria associated with the lining of the large intestine in people who have recently been diagnosed with C. difficile infection to determine if there are features associated with development, clearance, and recurrence of disease.

Patients who were recently diagnosed with C. difficile infection will undergo assessment of both before treatment and after completing treatment to study the presence of C. difficile in the colonic mucosa pre as well as assessment for microbiome and patient/clinical factors that may contribute to disease recurrence. Assessment will include sigmoid colon biopsies, blood draw, stool samples and surveys.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults aged 18 and over
• Confirmed C. difficile infection based on positive C. difficile toxin PCR testing and clinical evidence of diarrhea

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known active pregnancy
• Prior diagnosis of C. difficile infection within 2 months of this diagnosis
• Other known active gastrointestinal infectious process
• Vulnerable adults
• Any other disease(s), condition(s) or habit(s) that would interfere with completion of study, or in the judgment of the investigator would potentially interfere with compliance to this study or would adversely affect study outcomes

Patients recently diagnosed with C. difficile infection (not defined as recurrent) without underlying inflammatory GI conditions