Clostridium Difficile Infection

Question 1

Describe two situations where C.diff would present?

Answer 1

Hospitals

After taking antibiotics

Question 2

Describe the pathology of C.diff and antibiotics?

Answer 2

Taking certain antibiotics (Broad spectrum eg: Amoxicillin and Clarithyromycin) kills the normal gut bacteria and allows resistant strains of C.diff to proliferate and cause bacteria

Question 3

Investigations for C.diff?

Answer 3

Stool Culture for C.diff entertoxins

Question 4

Incubation period for C.diff?

Answer 4

5-10days but may be up to 12 weeks

Question 5

Describe the symptoms of C.diff?

Answer 5

Diarrhoea (May or may not be bloody)

Abdominal Pain

Question 6

Treatment for C.diff?

Answer 6

Oral Metronidazole

If that fails then onto Oral Vancoymycin

Question 7

What should you NOT use to treat C.diff?

Answer 7

IV Vancomycin

Question 8

Most common presentation of C.diff?

Answer 8

Old people
Hospital stay
Antibiotic Use (Cephlasporins, Clindamycin, Ciprofloxacin, Clarithyromycin)
Stool culture is positive for enterotoxins