Infection: Clostridium Difficile

Question 1

What is the classification of clostridium difficile?

Answer 1

Gram positive bacilli - dumstick shaped

Question 2

What infection does C diff cause?

Answer 2

Antibiotic-associated diarrhoea
(caused by antibiotics wiping out gut commensals and allowing c diff to grow, or proton pump inhibitors causing decreased stomach acid)

Question 3

What is the mode of transmission of C diff?

Answer 3

Spread via spores found in the faeces - can spread via surfaces, direct contact and feacal oral transmission

Common hospital acquired infection

Question 4

What is diarrhoea?

Answer 4

New onset of more than 3 partially formed or watery stools per 24 hr period

Question 5

What is the treatment for c diff infection?

Answer 5

Mild cases do not require treatment however oral rehydration sachets may be useful

Moderate cases - metronidazole

Severe disease - vancomycin (pregnant women always treated this way as metronidazole can cause birth defects)