C difficile is now recognized as the most common cause of nosocomial infectious diarrhea. It is responsible for up to 25% of cases of antibiotic-associated diarrhea,5 up to 75% of cases of antibiotic-associated colitis, and greater than 90% of cases of antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis.
Q. What is Clostridium difficile pathogenesis?
Clostridium difficile produces two major toxins referred to as toxins A and B. These are thought to be primarily responsible for the virulence of the bacterium and the major contributors to the pathogenesis of antibiotic-associated gastrointestinal disease.
Table of Contents
- Q. What is Clostridium difficile pathogenesis?
- Q. How does C difficile infection occur?
- Q. What is Clostridium difficile and why is a Clostridium difficile infection so difficult to treat?
- Q. Do you have C diff for life?
- Q. What is the best probiotic for C diff?
- Q. How can you prevent C diff from spreading at home?
- Q. Is it safe to be around someone with C diff?
- Q. What should you do if you are exposed to C diff?
Q. How does C difficile infection occur?
difficile bacteria are passed in feces and spread to food, surfaces and objects when people who are infected don’t wash their hands thoroughly. These spores can persist in a room for weeks or months. If you touch a surface contaminated with C. difficile spores, you may then unknowingly swallow the bacteria.
Q. What is Clostridium difficile and why is a Clostridium difficile infection so difficult to treat?
This is why contact transmission is such a challenge when treating C difficile, according to Gerding. “It makes spores which are difficult to remove from the environment (requiring bleach) and are resistant to common disinfectants like alcohol hand rubs.”
Q. Do you have C diff for life?
No, because once you recover from your C. diff infection, you could still be carrying the germs. A test would only show the germs are still there, but not whether you’re likely to become sick again.
Q. What is the best probiotic for C diff?
The best studied probiotic agents in CDI are Saccharomyces boulardii, Lactobacillus GG (LGG) and other lactobacilli, and probiotic mixtures.
Q. How can you prevent C diff from spreading at home?
Tips to prevent Clostridium difficile transmission in your home
- Practice good hand hygiene.
- Regularly clean areas of your home that may become contaminated with Clostridium difficile.
- Practice good hand hygiene.
- Cleaning surfaces, spills, and accidents.
- Exclusion Policies.
Q. Is it safe to be around someone with C diff?
Yes, C. diff is contagious. Microorganisms can be spread from person-to-person by touch or by direct contact with contaminated objects and surfaces (for example, clothing, cell phones, door handles). Some individuals are carriers of this bacterium but have no symptoms of infection.
Q. What should you do if you are exposed to C diff?
If you or a loved one is showing C-diff signs and symptoms, talk to your health care provider. He or she may stop or change your antibiotics, and test your watery stool for C-diff. In many cases this will clear up your signs and symptoms without further treatment.
