COPE Health Scholars Practice Test

Which pathogen is commonly associated with spore/enteric transmission?

1. Strep throat

2. Influenza virus

3. Clostridium difficile

4. HIV

The correct answer is: Clostridium difficile

The correct answer is Clostridium difficile, which is indeed associated with spore and enteric transmission. This bacterium forms spores that can survive in harsh environments and are resistant to many cleaning agents. C. difficile is typically transmitted through the fecal-oral route, often in healthcare settings, when spores are ingested through contaminated surfaces, hands, or food. Once inside the gastrointestinal tract, the spores can germinate and cause infections, particularly in individuals who have recently taken antibiotics, which disrupt the normal gut flora. The other pathogens listed do not primarily rely on spore or enteric transmission. For instance, strep throat is caused by Streptococcus pyogenes and is transmitted through respiratory droplets. The influenza virus spreads in a similar manner through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. HIV, on the other hand, is transmitted primarily through blood, sexual contact, and from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding, emphasizing a totally different mode of transmission unrelated to spores or the gastrointestinal route.