Pathogens
Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile

Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile

Precautions

Until symptoms have stopped for at least 48 hours and at least one of the following: a baseline normal bowel movement, a formed bowel movement or no bowel movements

Susceptibilities

General Information

Oral vancomycin.

Anaerobic spore forming gram positive bacilli.

  • Diarrhea often starts after taking antibiotics.
  • Can occur in outbreaks.
  • Recurrence is very common therefore previous history of C. difficile is a risk factor.
  • Proton-pump inhibitors may increase risk.
  • Chemotherapy and malignancy increase risk.
  • Profuse, watery diarrhea: 3 or more bowel movements per day.
  • Pseudomembranous colitis or toxic megacolon.
  • Probiotics may be helpful.
  • In refractory cases, stool transplants have been effective.
  • Do NOT perform test of cure, since test can remain positive even after cure.