C.Diff Flashcards
What type of bacteria is responsible for clostridium difficile?
Gram positive bacteria
What shape is c.diff?
Rod shaped
Describe some key features of c.diff?
Spore forming
Obligate anaerobes
Why does c.diff occur?
Antimicrobial treatment suppresses more predominant species in large intestine, c.diff proliferates
What do the pathogenic strains produce?
2 toxic polypeptides - toxin A and toxin B
What is toxin A?
Enterotoxin that causes excessive fluid secretion but also stimulates inflammatory response
What is toxin B?
Cytotoxin - has direct and destructive effects on cells of the body
What is AAD?
Antimicrobial - associated diarrhoea
How does c.diff present?
Diarrhoea, painful tummy cramps
How is c.diff spread?
Faecal-oral
Which drugs are responsible for AAD?
Clindamycin, ampicillin and cephalosporins
What is the treatment for c.diff?
Oral administration of metronidazole or vancomycin
