Abstract
Clostridium difficile is a relatively common enteric pathogen encountered most frequently in association with antibiotic use and as a nosocomial pathogen. Four factors dictate clinical expression: (1) acquisition of the organism from environmental sources or previous colonization; (2) distortion of the competing colonic flora by antibiotics;(3) toxin production; and (4) age-related susceptibility. Characteristics of clinical features include inflammatory diarrhea (cramps, fecal leukocytes, systemic response), endoscopic evidence of colitis or pseudomembranous colitis, and protein-losing enteropathy. The usual diagnostic tests are designed to detect toxin B with a tissue culture assay or toxin A with an enzyme immunoassay.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 12-21 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Seminars in Gastrointestinal Disease |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| State | Published - Feb 3 1997 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Gastroenterology