The Centers for Disease Control says a substantial number of people contracted C. difficile who hadn't been in a hospital, but had recently visited the doctor or dentist, according to an article on the CNN website.
A 2013 study found C. diff in six out of seven outpatient clinics tested in Ohio, including on patients' chairs and examining tables.
The CDC is starting a new study to try to assess nationally whether people are getting C. diff in doctors' offices.
The CDC is hoping its new study will help determine cause and effect, because it's possible the patients had C. diff to begin with and went to the doctor to get help, the article said.
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