c difficile Flashcards
what is c difficile
a spore forming bacteria present in the bowel
how common is c difficile in healthy people
present in the bowel of up to 3%
how common is c difficile in hospitalised people
present in the bowel of 20%
describe dormant c difficile
does not need oxygen to survive, can live well in the bowel without causing harm
when does c difficile begin to cause harm
if antibiotics interfere with the gut microflora, the c difficile can multiply and produce toxins
what is the main illness caused by CDI
diarrhoea
what is the main risk factor for acquiring CDI
exposure to antibiotics
what are the 4-antimicrobials associated with CDI
- clindamycin
- cephalosporins
- ciprofloxacin
- co-amoxiclav
what is coamoxiclav
broad spectrum penicillins
how severe is CDI in children
it can be mild or life threatening
what does the scottish guidance for testing on c difficile recommend
test patients aged three years and above
what is the most common bacterial cause of healthcare associated gastro intestinal infection in adults
CDI
how many cases of CDI result in death
5-10%
how long can patients infected with CDI be in hospital
1-3 weeks or more
what does CDI cause for the NHS
- morbitity
- mortality
- service disruption
describe the route of c difficile infection
- patients receive antibiotics or enteral therapy
- this alters microflora in the gut
- patients exposed and can become colonised
- depending on virulence of the microorganism and vulnerability, there is asymptomic colonised or multiplication and release of toxins
- infection
what is the criteria that must be met if a person is to become infected with c difficile
- bowel flora must be altered
- blowel flora must be colonised with toxigenic stain
- organism must grow and produce its toxins
what are the risk factors for CDI
- use of antibiotics
- increase in age
- prolonged inpatient stay
- underlying diseases
- surgical diseases
- surgical procedures
- immunosuppression
what are proton pump inhibitors
drugs which reduce the production of stomach acid
what is an example of a proton pump inhibitor
omeprazole
how many cases of c difficiile infection occur in those over 65
75%
when do symptoms begin once infected with CDI
between day 4 and day 9
