Clostridioides difficile
(Redirected from C.difficile)
Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile, formerly known as Clostridium difficile) is a Gram-positive, spore-forming, anaerobic bacteria that can cause severe infections in the human gastrointestinal system. C. difficile is the most common cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea and can lead to life-threatening colitis in severe cases.[1]
Epidemiology[edit | edit source]
C. difficile infections (CDIs) are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in healthcare settings such as hospitals and long-term care facilities. The incidence of CDI has increased over the past few decades, with elderly patients and those with compromised immune systems being at the highest risk.[2]
Pathogenesis[edit | edit source]
C. difficile produces two primary toxins, toxin A and toxin B, which cause inflammation and damage to the intestinal mucosa. The bacteria can form spores that are resistant to environmental conditions and are easily transmitted between individuals. CDI typically occurs when the normal gut flora is disrupted, often due to antibiotic use, which allows C. difficile to proliferate and produce toxins.[3]
Clinical manifestations[edit | edit source]
Symptoms of CDI can range from mild diarrhea to severe colitis, toxic megacolon, and even death. Common symptoms include:
Watery diarrhea (occurring at least three times per day for two or more days) Abdominal pain or cramping Fever Loss of appetite Nausea Dehydration[4]
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis of CDI typically involves stool testing for the presence of C. difficile toxins or the bacteria itself. Additional tests may include endoscopy or imaging studies, such as abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans, to assess the severity of the infection and potential complications.[5]
Treatment[edit | edit source]
The primary treatment for CDI includes the discontinuation of the inciting antibiotic (if possible) and the initiation of a targeted antibiotic regimen, such as metronidazole, vancomycin, or fidaxomicin.[6] In severe or recurrent cases, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) may be considered to restore the normal gut flora and prevent further CDI recurrence.[7]
Prevention[edit | edit source]
Preventing the spread of C. difficile involves implementing strict infection control measures, such as hand hygiene, contact precautions, and environmental cleaning. In addition, judicious use of antibiotics is crucial in reducing the risk of CDI.[8]
See also[edit | edit source]
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea Infection control Probiotics Pseudomembranous colitis
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Clostridioides difficile Infection". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved 2023-05-05.
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑ "Symptoms & Causes of C. difficile". National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Retrieved 2023-05-05.
- ↑ "Diagnosis of C. difficile". National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Retrieved 2023-05-05.
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑ "Prevention of C. difficile". National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Retrieved 2023-05-05.
| Clostridioides difficile Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
| Clostridioides difficile Resources | |
|---|---|
|
|
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
