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Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile InfectionC diff Infection
by
Cynthia M. Johnson, MA DefinitionClostridioides difficile (C diff) is an infection of the intestine caused by bacteria. CausesThe infection is caused by the C diff bacterium. It makes toxins as it grows. This bothers the lining of the intestine. The intestines have a healthy balance of bacteria that help with digestion. Antibiotics can disturb this balance by killing some bacteria which lets others grow in their place. C diff may be able to grow after certain antibiotics. The infection can also spread:
Risk FactorsThis problem is more common in older adults. Other things that may raise the risk are:
SymptomsProblems range from mild to severe and may be:
DiagnosisThe doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. Common tests are:
Rarely, the intestine may need to be viewed to look for changes. This can be done with an endoscopy. TreatmentPeople who have C diff but do not have symptoms do not need to be treated. The goal of treating people who do have symptoms is to treat the infection. Choices are:
PreventionProper hand washing is the best way to lower the risk of this problem. Other ways are:
RESOURCES:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov Infectious Diseases Society of America http://www.idsociety.org CANADIAN RESOURCES:Canadian Association of Gastroenterology https://www.cag-acg.org Public Health Agency of Canada https://www.canada.ca/home.html References:Clostridium difficile infection. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/clostridioides-clostridium-difficile-infection-in-adults-19. Accessed January 29, 2021. Clostridium difficile infection information for patients. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/hai/organisms/cdiff/cdiff-patient.html. Accessed January 29, 2021. C. difficile care at home. C Diff Foundation website. Available at: https://cdifffoundation.org/2014/08/14/c-difficile-care-at-home. Accessed January 29, 2021. McDonald LC, Gerding DN, et al. Clinical Practice Guidelines for Clostridium difficile Infection in Adults and Children: 2017 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA). Clin Infect Dis 2018 Mar 19;66(7):e1. C difficile-a rose by any other name... Lancet Infect Dis. 2019 May;19(5)449. Available at www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(19)30177-X/fulltext?rss=yes. Accessed January 29, 2021. Last reviewed September 2020 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
David L. Horn, MD, FACP | |