Pathogens
Clostridioides difficile

Clostridioides difficile

Precautions

Enhanced Contact Precautions

Susceptibilities

General Information

Anaerobic spore forming gram positive bacilli, box-car shaped.

Many people are colonized with C. difficile, but disease does not manifest until normal GI flora are eliminated, mainly via antibiotics.

Antibiotics are the most common cause of C. difficile-associated disease.

Outbreaks may occur if strict hand hygiene is not followed.

Recurrence is very common therefore previous history of C. difficile is a risk factor.

Antacids, especially proton-pump inhibitors, and chemotherapy also increase risk.

Wide range of symptoms possible that can constitute mild, moderate, severe or even fulminant disease:

  • Profuse, watery diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Pseudomembranous colitis or toxic megacolon

In recurrent or refractory cases, fecal transplants have been effective.