C. Difficile

Question 1

List three risk factors for c.diff infection

Answer 1

recent hospitilisation
recent abx use
previous GI surgery
gastric acid suppression

Question 2

Name a serious complication of c. diff infection

Answer 2

toxic megacolon, dilatation of colon, sepsis

Question 3

Name two severity markers for c.diff infection

Answer 3

1. WBC >15
2. SCr >1.5 x baseline
3. Suspicion/confirmation of pseudomembranitous colitis, toxic megacolon or ileus
4. Evidence of severe colitis on AXR or CT
5. Temp >38.5

Question 4

What is the antibiotic treatment for SEVERE c.diff infection?

Answer 4

oral vancomycin (>1 severity marker)

Question 5

What is the antibiotic treatment for c.diff infection with no severity markers?

Answer 5

oral metronidazole

Question 6

Name three antibiotics associated with c.diff

Answer 6

clindamycin
ciprofloxacin
co-amoxiclav
cephalosporins e.g. cefuroxime