![]() One of the most problematic features of C. difficile can result in toxic megacolon or a severe inflammation of the colon requiring advanced therapies and/or surgery for removal of the colon. difficile can complicate the management of underlying health disorders such as cancer therapy, organ transplantation or inflammatory bowel disease. How serious is Clostridioides difficile infection?Ĭlostridioides difficile can result in severe illness. difficile such as inflammatory bowel disease. Additionally, colonoscopy can be performed to assess for alternative conditions predisposing to C. Imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) scans and X-rays of the abdomen can assess for thickening of the colon and dilation of the colon in the setting of severe infection. difficile can produce toxins that result in colon injury and diarrhea, diagnosis is made through DNA-based testing for the presence of toxin and/or through protein-based testing detecting the toxin in the stool of individuals with diarrhea. How is Clostridioides difficile diagnosed?Īs C. difficile can grow and becomes capable of producing toxins that result in diarrhea. When antibiotics remove the beneficial bacteria in the colon, C. Bacterial spores which can be resistant to standard household cleaners can survive on surfaces for prolonged periods of time and enter the digestive system when people touch contaminated surfaces with their hands and then touch their mouths.Įxposure to the bacterial spores most often also has to occur in the setting of a disturbed microbiome (intestinal bacteria in the colon), which occurs with antibiotic use. How is Clostridioides difficile transmitted?Ĭlostridioides difficile is a ubiquitous bacteria present at times on household surfaces, foods (particularly meats) and most commonly in healthcare settings. difficile commonly produces elevations in the white blood cell count and blood markers of inflammation. difficile infection, but are not always present. Abdominal discomfort, fevers and weight loss can be seen in C. Symptoms can range from changes in the form, frequency and consistency of stool to rare cases of life-threatening toxic megacolon that requires hospitalization and sometimes surgery. What are Clostridioides difficile symptoms? difficile are risk factors for the development of C. In addition to prior antibiotic exposures, risk factors such as recent hospitalization, underlying inflammatory bowel disease or contact with individuals recently treated for C. difficile can germinate and begin to produce toxins that injure the surface of the colon resulting in diarrhea. ![]() Due to disruptions in the normal and healthy bacteria of the colon, C. difficile infection is a leading cause of healthcare-associated infection with over 400,000 cases diagnosed annually in the United States and is increasingly recognized in the community setting.Ĭlostridioides difficile most commonly causes diarrhea in individuals that have recently been exposed to antibiotics. What is Clostridioides difficile infection?Ĭlostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a bacterial infection of the colon caused by a bacterium called Clostridioides difficile and commonly referred to as "C. ![]()
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