What complication can occur from a severe C. diff infection?

A severe Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infection can lead to serious complications, one of which is perforation of the colon. This occurs when the inflammation and damage caused by the infection weaken the intestinal wall, making it susceptible to tearing or breaking through.

When the colon becomes significantly inflamed and damaged, this condition can result in colitis, and if left untreated, it may progress to toxic megacolon—an extreme dilation of the colon—which increases the risk of perforation. A perforated colon is a medical emergency that can lead to peritonitis, a life-threatening infection of the abdominal cavity, requiring immediate surgical intervention and potentially increasing morbidity and mortality rates associated with C. diff infections.

Other options, such as kidney inflammation, heart failure, and bone fractures, are not direct complications of C. diff infections. While these conditions can arise from various health issues or in patients with other underlying problems, they are not typically associated with the complications stemming from a severe C. diff infection.