<i>Clostridioides difficile</i> in feral horse populations in Australia

<i>Clostridioides difficile</i> poses an ongoing threat to healthcare in the community, with increasing evidence of transmission outside the hospital setting. In keeping with a One Health model of dispersion, investigations into this microorganism within the wider environment are vital to understanding this evolving epidemiology. Australia has the biggest population of feral horses in the world, and this study of <i>C. difficile</i> in feral horses provides insight into the role of non-domesticated animals in the dissemination of <i>C. difficile</i>. Examination of prevalence and characterization of isolates provides a baseline for evaluating the effect of antimicrobials and other factors associated with domestication on equine <i>C. difficile</i> infection.