Clostridium difficile: Difference between revisions

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{{Taxobox
{{Taxobox
| color = pink
| color = pink
| name =
| name = Clostridium difficile
| image =  
| image =  
| regnum = x
| regnum = Prokaryote
| phylum = x
| phylum = Firmicutes
| classis = x
| classis = Clostridia
| ordo =  x
| ordo =  Clostridiales
| familia = x
| familia = Clostridiaceae
| genus =  x
| genus =  Clostridium
| species = x
| species = Difficile
| binomial = ''x x''
| binomial = ''Clostridium difficile''
| binomial_authority =   
| binomial_authority =   
}}
}}
'''''Clostridium difficile''''' is a spore-forming, anaerobic, toxin-producing bacterium that is a "common inhabitant of the colon flora in human infants and sometimes in adults. It produces a toxin that causes [[pseudomembranous enterocolitis]] in patients receiving antibiotic therapy."<ref>{{MeSH|term}}</ref>  ''C. difficile'' superinfection after oral antibiotic therapy, leading to potentially fatal [[pseudomembranous enterocolitis]], has been an increasingly severe public health problem. Indeed, many primary physicians now consider it wise to warn outpatients on antibiotics to seek immediate consultation if they develop severe diarrhea.
C. difficile is present at low levels in the gut flora of about 3% of adults. These people however show no symptoms and do not need to be treated. The infection occurs when a person is treated with antibiotics targeted against other bacteria. The disease is for the most part nosocomial. Patients who are hospitalized come in contact and are often inoculated with the bacteria. When the patient is treated with antibiotics, especially those with a broad range of activity, the normal gut flora is disrupted, and C. difficile, with its multi-drug resistance, experiences overgrowth. The bacteria releases large quantities of enterotoxins (toxin A) and cytotoxins (toxin B), causing [[pseudomembranous enterocolitis]].
[[Image:img2.gif|thumb|left|250px|scanning electron micrograph of C. difficile]]
==History==
In 1935, Hall and O’Toole first isolated the bacteria from the stools of newborns and described it. They named it ''Bacillus difficilis'' because it was hard to isolate and grew very slowly in culture.<ref name="Hall">{{cite journal |author=Hall I, O'Toole E |title=Intestinal flora in newborn infants with a description of a new pathogenic anaerobe, ''Bacillus difficilis'' |journal=Am. J. Dis. Child |volume=49 |pages=390 |year=1935 }}</ref>
C. difficile is an important pathogen that is currently increasing in its prevalence world-wide. A complete genome sequence would enable geneticists to come up with a more direct and efficient treatment against the pathogen. The genetic material encodes for antimicrobial resistance, production of toxins (virulence), host interaction (adaptations for survival and growth within the gut environment), and the production of surface structures. The understanding of how these genes interact with their environment will be useful in developing therapies against C. difficile associated diseases.<ref name="sebaihia">{{cite journal |author=Sebaihia M et al |title=The multidrug-resistant human pathogen ''Clostridium difficile'' has a highly mobile, mosaic genome |journal=Na. Gen. |volume=38 |pages=779–86 |year=2006 |pmid=16804543|doi=}}</ref>
==Genome structure==
Sebaihia et al (2006) determined the complete genomic sequence of ''C. difficile'' strain 630, a highly virulent and multidrug-resistant strain. It was found that the genome consists of a circular chromosome of 4,290,252 bp and a plasmid, pCD630, of 7,881 bp. The chromosome encodes 3,776 predicted coding sequences (CDSs), with resistance, virulence, and host interaction genes, while the plasmid carries only 11 CDSs, none of which has any obvious function. ''C. difficile'' has a highly mobile genome, with 11% of the genome consisting of mobile genetic elements, mostly in the form of conjugative transposons. Conjugative transposons are mobile genetic elements that are capable of integrating into and excising from the host genome and transferring themselves, and are responsible for the evolutionary acquisition by C. difficile of genes involved in resistance, virulence, and host interactions. Some of the mobile elements are prophage sequences. Host interaction genes involve genes that code for metabolic capability adaptations for survival and growth within the gut environment.<ref name="sebaihia">{{cite journal |author=Sebaihia M et al |title=The multidrug-resistant human pathogen ''Clostridium difficile'' has a highly mobile, mosaic genome |journal=Na. Gen. |volume=38 |pages=779–86 |year=2006 |pmid=16804543|doi=}}</ref>
The genome carries several copies of a very interesting genetic element, the IStron. The IStron is a hybrid between an intron and an insertion sequence (IS), and can therefore insert itself into a DNA sequence, and later be excised from the primary mRNA transcript by cellular machinery. For example, a copy inserted in the tcdA gene (that encodes the enterotoxin A) renders the gene nonfunctional until the IStron is excised. Truncated copies of the IStron (containing only the IS sequence) were found in intergenic regions. Possibly, these truncated variants may be the answer to make C. difficile unable to produce functional toxins.
<ref name="sebaihia">{{cite journal |author=Sebaihia M et al |title=The multidrug-resistant human pathogen ''Clostridium difficile'' has a highly mobile, mosaic genome |journal=Na. Gen. |volume=38 |pages=779–86 |year=2006 |pmid=16804543|doi=}}</ref>
==Cell structure and metabolism==
Clostridia are Gram-positive, anaerobic, spore-forming, rod-shaped, motile bacteria. As spores, the bacteria look like drumsticks, with a bulge located at one end. C. difficile produces an S layer (polysaccharide capsule) that contributes to its pathogenicity. C. difficile has flagellae that contribute to its motility.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kumm|first=Jaklyn|date=16 April 2009|title=General Characteristics of ''Clostridium difficile''|url=http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2009/kumm_jakl/growth&adapt.htm|publisher=University of Wisconsin|accessdate=31 October 2013}}</ref>
''C. difficile'' is an obligate fermenter, and exhibits optimal growth in blood agar at human body temperatures in the absence of oxygen. The metabolism of C. difficile is in large part adapted to life in the intestinal tract.<ref>{{cite journal|date=June 2010|title=Clostridium difficile: An intestinal infection on the rise|url=http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/Harvard_Mens_Health_Watch/2010/June/clostridium-difficile-an-intestinal-infection-on-the-rise|journal=Harvard Men's Health Watch|publisher=Harvard University|accessdate=31 October 2013}}</ref> It produces enzymes that degrade nutrients abundant in the intestine. Carbohydrates are the preferred nutrient source, and C. difficile has the ability to metabolize a wide range of carbohydrates. The bacteria also have a relatively unique ability to utilize ethanolamine, an abundant phospholipid provided by the host’s dietary intake, as a carbon and nitrogen source.<ref name="sebaihia">{{cite journal |author=Sebaihia M et al |title=The multidrug-resistant human pathogen ''Clostridium difficile'' has a highly mobile, mosaic genome |journal=Na. Gen. |volume=38 |pages=779–86 |year=2006 |pmid=16804543|doi=}}</ref>
C. difficile has the enzyme that catalyzes the decarboxylation of p-hydroxyphenylacetate (a tyrosine degradation product) to p-crysol, a compound that stunts bacterial growth. C. difficile produces and tolerates high concentrations of p-crysol, giving it a competitive advantage over the normal bacterial flora in the intestine.<ref name="sebaihia">{{cite journal |author=Sebaihia M et al |title=The multidrug-resistant human pathogen ''Clostridium difficile'' has a highly mobile, mosaic genome |journal=Na. Gen. |volume=38 |pages=779–86 |year=2006 |pmid=16804543|doi=}}</ref>
==Ecology==
C. difficile is found throughout nature, especially in soil. It exhibits optimal growth in blood agar at human body temperatures in the absence of oxygen. It can remain dormant in hospitals in the form of spores until patient inoculation. Following treatment of antibiotics, C. difficile overgrows in the intestinal tract, causing [[pseudomembranous enterocolitis]], and consequently diarrhea.<ref>{{cite web|last=Vorvick|first=Linda|coauthors= George F. Longstreth, and David Zieve|title=Pseudomembranous colitis|url=http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000259.htm|publisher=MedlinePlus|accessdate=31 October 2013}}</ref>
==Pathology==
''C. difficile'' is transmitted from person to person by the fecal-oral route in the form of vegetative cells and heat-resistant spores. Most vegetative cells are killed in the stomach, but spores pass through the stomach unaffected because of their acid resistance. Spores germinate in the small bowel upon exposure to bile acids. ''C. difficile'' multiplies in the colon and overgrows in the absence of competitors (following antibiotic treatment). Mucosa of the gut allows'' C. difficile'' adherence to the colonic epithelium.<ref name="cdiffposter">C. difficile. 12 Apr. 2008. The Writing Lab and OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. 10 March 2006. <http://media.romanvenable.net/images/cDiffLarge.jpeg></ref>
Different pathogenic strains of ''C. difficile'' produce different toxins, but the most common ones are enterotoxin (toxin A) and cytotoxin (toxin B). The two toxins lead to "the production of tumour necrosis factor-alpha and pro-inflammatory interleukins, increased vascular permeability, neutrophil and monocyte recruitment, opening of epithelial cell junctions and epithelial cell apoptosis." Hydrolytic enzymes cause connective tissue to degrade, leading to colitis, pseudomembrane formation and watery diarrhea.<ref name="cdiffposter">C. difficile. 12 Apr. 2008. The Writing Lab and OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. 10 March 2006. <http://media.romanvenable.net/images/cDiffLarge.jpeg></ref> Toxin B is thought to be essential for disease to occur.<ref name="pmid19252482">{{cite journal| author=Lyras D, O'Connor JR, Howarth PM, Sambol SP, Carter GP, Phumoonna T et al.| title=Toxin B is essential for virulence of Clostridium difficile. | journal=Nature | year= 2009 | volume= 458 | issue= 7242 | pages= 1176-9 | pmid=19252482
| url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=clinical.uthscsa.edu/cite&email=badgett@uthscdsa.edu&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=19252482 | doi=10.1038/nature07822 | pmc=PMC2679968 }} <!--Formatted by http://sumsearch.uthscsa.edu/cite/--></ref>


'''''Clostridium difficile''''' is a bacteria that is a "common inhabitant of the colon flora in human infants and sometimes in adults. It produces a toxin that causes pseudomembranous enterocolitis in patients receiving antibiotic therapy."<ref>{{MeSH|term}}</ref>
Risk factors for acquisition include use of [[proton pump inhibitor]]  medications.<ref name="pmid22525304">{{cite journal| author=Kwok  CS, Arthur AK, Anibueze CI, Singh S, Cavallazzi R, Loke YK| title=Risk  of Clostridium difficile Infection With Acid Suppressing Drugs and  Antibiotics: Meta-Analysis. | journal=Am J Gastroenterol | year= 2012 |  volume= 107 | issue= 7 | pages= 1011-9 | pmid=22525304 |  doi=10.1038/ajg.2012.108 | pmc= |  url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=22525304  }} </ref><ref  name="pmid22710578">{{cite journal| author=Janarthanan S, Ditah I,  Adler DG, Ehrinpreis MN| title=Clostridium difficile-Associated Diarrhea  and Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy: A Meta-Analysis. | journal=Am J  Gastroenterol | year= 2012 | volume= 107 | issue= 7 | pages= 1001-10 |  pmid=22710578 | doi=10.1038/ajg.2012.179 | pmc= |  url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=22710578  }} </ref><ref name="pmid20458086">{{cite journal|  author=Howell MD, Novack V, Grgurich P, Soulliard D, Novack L, Pencina M  et al.| title=Iatrogenic gastric acid suppression and the risk of  nosocomial Clostridium difficile infection. | journal=Arch Intern Med |  year= 2010 | volume= 170 | issue= 9 | pages= 784-90 | pmid=20458086 |  doi=10.1001/archinternmed.2010.89 | pmc= |  url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=20458086  }} </ref>


''Clostridium difficile'' infection (CDI) can range in severity from asymptomatic to life threatening. Death is more common among the aged (>65). Patient symptoms include severe diarrhea, exposure to antibiotics, foul stool odor, and abdominal pain.<ref name="cdiffposter">C. difficile. 12 Apr. 2008. The Writing Lab and OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. 10 March 2006. <http://media.romanvenable.net/images/cDiffLarge.jpeg></ref>
[[Image:Img1.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Pseudomembranous enterocolitis, a CDAD]]


==Diagnosis==
[[Clinical practice guideline]]s address diagnosis.<ref name="pmid20307191">{{cite journal| author=Cohen SH, Gerding DN, Johnson S, Kelly CP, Loo VG, McDonald LC et al.| title=Clinical practice guidelines for Clostridium difficile infection in adults: 2010 update by the society for healthcare epidemiology of America (SHEA) and the infectious diseases society of America (IDSA). | journal=Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol | year= 2010 | volume= 31 | issue= 5 | pages= 431-55 | pmid=20307191
| url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=clinical.uthscsa.edu/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=20307191 | doi=10.1086/651706 }} </ref>


==Classification==
Two [[clinical prediction rule]]s suggests which patients will have positive toxin results.<ref name="pmid9034947">{{cite journal |author=Katz DA, Bates DW, Rittenberg E, ''et al'' |title=Predicting Clostridium difficile stool cytotoxin results in hospitalized patients with diarrhea |journal=J Gen Intern Med |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=57–62 |year=1997 |month=January |pmid=9034947 |pmc=1497057 |doi= |url= |issn=}}</ref><ref name="pmid8561149">{{cite journal |author=Cooper GS, Lederman MM, Salata RA |title=A predictive model to identify Clostridium difficile toxin in hospitalized patients with diarrhea |journal=Am. J. Gastroenterol. |volume=91 |issue=1 |pages=80–4 |year=1996 |month=January |pmid=8561149 |doi= |url= |issn=}}</ref> Unfortunately, neither of these studies used the [[sensitivity and specificity|sensitive]] [[polymerase chain reaction]] as a reference standard.
* Clostridium difficile is very unlikely among patients "without a history of antibiotic use and either significant diarrhea or abdominal pain."<ref name="pmid9034947">{{cite journal |author=Katz DA, Bates DW, Rittenberg E, ''et al'' |title=Predicting Clostridium difficile stool cytotoxin results in hospitalized patients with diarrhea |journal=J Gen Intern Med |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=57–62 |year=1997 |month=January |pmid=9034947 |pmc=1497057 |doi= |url= |issn=}}</ref>


Higher order taxa
===Suggestive medical history===
A history of exposure to antibiotics in the last 30 days is present in most all patients.<ref name="pmid9034947">{{cite journal |author=Katz DA, Bates DW, Rittenberg E, ''et al'' |title=Predicting Clostridium difficile stool cytotoxin results in hospitalized patients with diarrhea |journal=J Gen Intern Med |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=57–62 |year=1997 |month=January |pmid=9034947 |pmc=1497057 |doi= |url= |issn=}}</ref>


Prokaryote; Firmicutes; Clostridia; Clostridiales; Clostridiaceae
Clostridium difficile should be suspected among patients with "clinically significant diarrhea, usually defined as 3 or more loose stools per day for at least 1 to 2 days".<ref name="pmid19652187">{{cite journal| author=Peterson LR, Robicsek A| title=Does my patient have Clostridium difficile infection? | journal=Ann Intern Med | year= 2009 | volume= 151 | issue= 3 | pages= 176-9 | pmid=19652187
| url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=clinical.uthscsa.edu/cite&email=badgett@uthscdsa.edu&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=19652187 }} <!--Formatted by http://sumsearch.uthscsa.edu/cite/--></ref> Significant diarrhea is defined as one day of "at least three partially formed or watery stools, 1 L of colostomy output, or more than 200 ml of watery rectal bad output" or "multiple or several loose stools."<ref name="pmid9034947">{{cite journal |author=Katz DA, Bates DW, Rittenberg E, ''et al'' |title=Predicting Clostridium difficile stool cytotoxin results in hospitalized patients with diarrhea |journal=J Gen Intern Med |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=57–62 |year=1997 |month=January |pmid=9034947 |pmc=1497057 |doi= |url= |issn=}}</ref>


Species
===Laboratory tests===
The accuracy of laboratory tests is in the table.<ref name="pmid17918076">{{cite journal |author=Peterson LR, Manson RU, Paule SM, ''et al'' |title=Detection of toxigenic Clostridium difficile in stool samples by real-time polymerase chain reaction for the diagnosis of C. difficile-associated diarrhea |journal=Clin. Infect. Dis. |volume=45 |issue=9 |pages=1152–60 |year=2007 |month=November |pmid=17918076 |doi=10.1086/522185 |url=http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/522185?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%3dncbi.nlm.nih.gov |issn=}}</ref>
{|  class="wikitable sortable" align="right"
|+ Accuracy of stool tests for<br/>presumed Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea<ref name="pmid17918076"/>
! &nbsp;!! Sensitivity and specificity|Sensitivity!! [[Sensitivity and specificity|Specificity]]
|-
| Cytotoxin by enzyme [[immunoassay]]|| 73%|| 97%
|-
| Cell culture cytotoxin assay<br/>(tissue culture assay)|| 77%|| 97%
|-
| Real-time [[polymerase chain reaction]] for<br/>toxin B gene|| 93%|| 97%
|-
| Anaerobic culture<br/>(for toxigenic [[Clostridium difficile|C. difficile]] strains)|| 100%|| 96%
|-
| Sigmoidoscopy<ref name="pmid7323683">Seppala, K, Hjelt, L, Supponen, P. Colonoscopy in the diagnosis of antibiotic-associated colitis. Scand J Gastroenterol 1981; 16:465. PMID 7323683</ref><br/>(for pseudomembranes)|| 31%|| &nbsp;
|}


''Clostridium difficile''
===Colonoscopy===
Based on a few studies, most patients with Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea do not have [[pseudomembranous enterocolitis]] upon [[colonoscopy]].<ref name="pmid8055732">{{cite journal |author=Marts BC, Longo WE, Vernava AM, Kennedy DJ, Daniel GL, Jones I |title=Patterns and prognosis of Clostridium difficile colitis |journal=Dis. Colon Rectum |volume=37 |issue=8 |pages=837–45 |year=1994 |month=August |pmid=8055732 |doi= |url= |issn=}}</ref><ref name="pmid18386542">{{cite journal |author=Pupaibool J, Khantipong M, Suankratay C |title=A study of Clostridium difficile-associated disease at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thailand |journal=J Med Assoc Thai |volume=91 |issue=1 |pages=37–43 |year=2008 |month=January |pmid=18386542 |doi= |url= |issn=}}</ref>


==Description and significance==
==Treatment==
[[Clinical practice guideline]]s<ref name="pmid20307191">{{cite journal| author=Cohen SH, Gerding DN, Johnson S, Kelly CP, Loo VG, McDonald LC et al.| title=Clinical practice guidelines for Clostridium difficile infection in adults: 2010 update by the society for healthcare epidemiology of America (SHEA) and the infectious diseases society of America (IDSA). | journal=Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol | year= 2010 | volume= 31 | issue= 5 | pages= 431-55 | pmid=20307191
| url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=clinical.uthscsa.edu/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=20307191 | doi=10.1086/651706 }} </ref> and a [[systematic review]]<ref name="pmid22184691">{{cite journal| author=Drekonja DM, Butler M, Macdonald R, Bliss D, Filice GA, Rector TS et al.| title=Comparative Effectiveness of Clostridium difficile Treatments: A Systematic Review. | journal=Ann Intern Med | year= 2011 | volume= 155 | issue= 12 | pages= 839-47 | pmid=22184691 | doi=10.1059/0003-4819-155-12-201112200-00007 | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=22184691  }} </ref> address treatment.


Clostridium difficile is a species of bacteria that is the leading cause of infectious diarhhea among patients in hospitals worldwide. C. difficile causes pseudomembranous colitis, a plaque-forming infection of the colon that leads to heavy diarrhea and may be life-threatening. C. difficile is present at low levels in the gut flora of about 3% of adults. These people however show no symptoms and do not need to be treated. The infection occurs when a person is treated with antibiotics targeted against other bacteria. The disease is for the most part nosocomial. Patients who are hospitalized come in contact and are often inoculated with the bacteria. When the patient is treated with antibiotics, especially those with a broad range of activity, the normal gut flora is disrupted, and C. difficile, with its multi-drug resistance, experiences overgrowth. The bacteria releases large quantities of enterotoxins (toxin A) and cytotoxins (toxin B), causing pseudomembranous colitis. To treat infection, antibiotic intake must cease and anticlostridial antibiotics (vancomycin, amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, doxycycline, gentamicin, clindamycin) must be ingested.<ref name="wiki">Clostridium difficile. 12 Apr. 2008. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 13 Apr. 2008. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clostridium_difficile></ref>
===Antibiotics===
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|+ [[Randomized controlled trial]]s of interventions for Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea<ref name="pmid21288078">{{cite journal| author=Louie TJ, Miller MA, Mullane KM, Weiss K, Lentnek A, Golan Y et al.| title=Fidaxomicin versus vancomycin for Clostridium difficile infection. | journal=N Engl J Med | year= 2011 | volume= 364 | issue= 5 | pages= 422-31 | pmid=21288078 | doi=10.1056/NEJMoa0910812 | pmc= | url= }} </ref><ref name="pmid17599306">{{cite journal| author=Zar FA, Bakkanagari SR, Moorthi KM, Davis MB| title=A comparison of vancomycin and metronidazole for the treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, stratified by disease severity. | journal=Clin Infect Dis | year= 2007 | volume= 45 | issue= 3 | pages= 302-7 | pmid=17599306 | doi=10.1086/519265 | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=17599306  }} </ref>
! rowspan="2"|Trial!!rowspan="2"| Patients!!rowspan="2"| Intervention!!rowspan="2"|Comparison !!rowspan="2"|Outcome!!colspan="2"|Results - cure!!colspan="2"|Results - recurrence
|-<br/>
! Intervention!!Control !!Intervention!!Control
|-
| Louie et al<ref name="pmid21288078"/><br/>2011|| 629 patients<br/>&bull;&nbsp;mild to severe|| Fidaxomicin<br/>&bull;&nbsp;200 mg twice daily<br/>&bull;&nbsp;10 days ||Vancomycin<br/>&bull;&nbsp;125 mg 4 times/day<br/>&bull;&nbsp;10 days ||stool toxin after 4 weeks|| 88%|| 86%|| 15% ||25%
|-
| Zar et al<ref name="pmid17599306"/><br/>2007||150 patients<br/>&bull;&nbsp;mild to severe|| Metronidazole<br/>&bull;&nbsp;250 mg 4 times/day<br/>&bull;&nbsp;10 days||Vancomycin<br/>&bull;&nbsp;125 mg 4 times/ day<br/>&bull;&nbsp;10 days ||stool toxin after 3 weeks|| 90%<br/>(76% if severe)|| 98%<br/>(97% if severe)|| 15%||14%
|}


In 1935, Hall and O’Toole first isolated the bacteria from the stools of newborns and described it. They named it Bacillus difficilis because it was hard to isolate and grew very slowly in culture.<ref name="Hall">{{cite journal |author=Hall I, O'Toole E |title=Intestinal flora in newborn infants with a description of a new pathogenic anaerobe, ''Bacillus difficilis'' |journal=Am. J. Dis. Child |volume=49 |pages=390 |year=1935 }}</ref>
Various antibiotics have been studied in [[randomized controlled trial]]s.<ref name="pmid17636768">{{cite journal |author=Nelson R |title=Antibiotic treatment for Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea in adults |journal=Cochrane Database Syst Rev |volume= |issue=3 |pages=CD004610 |year=2007 |pmid=17636768 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD004610.pub3 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004610.pub3 |issn=}}</ref><ref name="pmid8722937">{{cite journal |author=Wenisch C, Parschalk B, Hasenhündl M, Hirschl AM, Graninger W |title=Comparison of vancomycin, teicoplanin, metronidazole, and fusidic acid for the treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea |journal=Clin. Infect. Dis. |volume=22 |issue=5 |pages=813–8 |year=1996 |month=May |pmid=8722937 |doi= |url= |issn=}}</ref><ref name="pmid19133801">{{cite journal |author=Musher DM, Logan N, Bressler AM, Johnson DP, Rossignol JF |title=Nitazoxanide versus Vancomycin in Clostridium difficile Infection: A Randomized, Double-Blind Study |journal=Clin. Infect. Dis. |volume= |issue= |pages= |year=2009 |month=January |pmid=19133801 |doi=10.1086/596552 |url=http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/596552?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%3dncbi.nlm.nih.gov |issn=}}</ref> [[Teicoplanin]] may be the most effective antibiotic.<ref name="pmid17636768">{{cite journal |author=Nelson R |title=Antibiotic treatment for Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea in adults |journal=Cochrane Database Syst Rev |volume= |issue=3 |pages=CD004610 |year=2007 |pmid=17636768 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD004610.pub3 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004610.pub3 |issn=}}</ref><ref name="pmid8722937">{{cite journal |author=Wenisch C, Parschalk B, Hasenhündl M, Hirschl AM, Graninger W |title=Comparison of vancomycin, teicoplanin, metronidazole, and fusidic acid for the treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea |journal=Clin. Infect. Dis. |volume=22 |issue=5 |pages=813–8 |year=1996 |month=May |pmid=8722937 |doi= |url= |issn=}}</ref> [[Vancomycin]] has an insignificant trend towards being better than [[metronidazole]];<ref name="pmid17636768">{{cite journal |author=Nelson R |title=Antibiotic treatment for Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea in adults |journal=Cochrane Database Syst Rev |volume= |issue=3 |pages=CD004610 |year=2007 |pmid=17636768 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD004610.pub3 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004610.pub3 |issn=}}</ref> metronidazole is likely to be the least expensive of the group and is not a last resort for other highly resistant organisms.


C. difficile is an important pathogen that is currently increasing in its prevalence world-wide. A complete genome sequence would enable geneticists to come up with a more direct and efficient treatment against the pathogen. The genetic material encodes for antimicrobial resistance, production of toxins (virulence), host interaction (adaptations for survival and growth within the gut environment), and the production of surface structures. The understanding of how these genes interact with their environment will be useful in developing therapies against C. difficile associated diseases.<ref name="sebaihia">{{cite journal |author=Sebaihia M et al |title=The multidrug-resistant human pathogen ''Clostridium difficile'' has a highly mobile, mosaic genome |journal=Na. Gen. |volume=38 |pages=779–86 |year=2006 |pmid=16804543|doi=}}</ref>
"Our findings suggest that metronidazole and vancomycin are equally effective for the treatment of mild CDAD, but vancomycin is superior for treating patients with severe CDAD." according to a [[randomized controlled trial]]. <ref name="pmid17599306">{{cite journal| author=Zar FA, Bakkanagari SR, Moorthi KM, Davis MB| title=A comparison of vancomycin and metronidazole for the treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, stratified by disease severity. | journal=Clin Infect Dis | year= 2007 | volume= 45 | issue= 3 | pages= 302-7 | pmid=17599306 | doi=10.1086/519265 | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=17599306  }} </ref>
 
In a [[randomized controlled trial]], the [[relative risk ratio]] of [[fidaxomicin]], as compared to [[vancomycin]], for recurrence of C. difficile infection was 0.6 and the [[relative risk reduction]] was 40.0%. In populations similar to those in this study which had a rate of risk as measured by the recurrence of C. difficile infection of 25% without treatment, the [[number needed to treat]] is 10. <ref name="pmid21288078">{{cite journal| author=Louie TJ, Miller MA, Mullane KM, Weiss K, Lentnek A, Golan Y et al.| title=Fidaxomicin versus vancomycin for Clostridium difficile infection. | journal=N Engl J Med | year= 2011 | volume= 364 | issue= 5 | pages= 422-31 | pmid=21288078 | doi=10.1056/NEJMoa0910812 | pmc= | url= }} </ref>
 
Consider vancomycin if the patient has two or more points from the following:<ref>Zar FA, Bakkanagari SR, Moorthi KM, Davis MB. A  comparison of vancomycin and metronidazole for the treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, stratified by disease severity. Clin Infect Dis. 2007 Aug 1;45(3):302-7. PMID 17599306</ref>
* 1 point for each of
** WBC > 15k
** albumin < 2.5
** age > 60
** temperature > 38.3° C
* 2 points for each of
** Pseudomembranous colitis
** Intensive care
 
It should be noted that vancomycin is given orally in this condition, and is not absorbed systemically. While it still needs to be used with care to avoid the development of resistant organisms, the risk may be lower than if it is used as a parenteral therapy for already resistant pathogens such as [[Staphylococcus aureus | methicillin-resistant ''Staphylococcus aureus'']].
 
In a [[randomized controlled trial]], the [[relative risk ratio]] of [[fidaxomicin]], as compared to [[vancomycin]], for recurrence of C. difficile infection was 0.6 and the [[relative risk reduction]] was 40.0%. In populations similar to those in this study which had a rate of risk as measured by the recurrence of C. difficile infection of 25% without treatment, the [[number needed to treat]] is 10. <ref name="pmid21288078">{{cite journal| author=Louie TJ, Miller MA, Mullane KM, Weiss K, Lentnek A, Golan Y et al.| title=Fidaxomicin versus vancomycin for Clostridium difficile infection. | journal=N Engl J Med | year= 2011 | volume= 364 | issue= 5 | pages= 422-31 | pmid=21288078 | doi=10.1056/NEJMoa0910812 | pmc= | url= }} </ref>
 
A case series suggests [[tigecycline]] for severe disease.<ref name="pmid19435431">{{cite journal |author=Herpers BL, Vlaminckx B, Burkhardt O, ''et al.'' |title=Intravenous tigecycline as adjunctive or alternative therapy for severe refractory Clostridium difficile infection |journal=Clin. Infect. Dis. |volume=48 |issue=12 |pages=1732–5 |year=2009 |month=June |pmid=19435431 |doi=10.1086/599224 |url=http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/599224?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%3dncbi.nlm.nih.gov |issn=}}</ref>
 
===Probiotics (administration of bacteria)===
[[Probiotic]] administration may not ''treat''according to a [[meta-analysis|meta-analyses]].<ref name="pmid18254055">{{cite journal |author=Pillai A, Nelson R |title=Probiotics for treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated colitis in adults|journal=Cochrane Database Syst Rev |volume= |issue=1 |pages=CD004611 |year=2008 |pmid=18254055|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD004611.pub2 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004611.pub2 |issn=}}</ref> Probiotics can be harmful among [[intensive care]] patients.<ref name="pmid15889360">{{cite journal |author=Muñoz P, Bouza E, Cuenca-Estrella M, ''et al'' |title=Saccharomyces cerevisiae fungemia: an emerging infectious disease |journal=Clin. Infect. Dis. |volume=40 |issue=11 |pages=1625–34 |year=2005 |month=June |pmid=15889360 |doi=10.1086/429916 |url=http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/resolve?CID35391 |issn=}}</ref>


==Genome Structure==
Rectal<ref name="pmid6137662">{{cite journal| author=Schwan A, Sjölin S, Trottestam U, Aronsson B| title=Relapsing clostridium difficile enterocolitis cured by rectal infusion of homologous faeces. | journal=Lancet | year= 1983 | volume= 2 | issue= 8354 | pages= 845 | pmid=6137662 | doi= | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=6137662  }} </ref><ref name="pmid18808083">{{cite journal |author=Nieuwdorp M, van Nood E, Speelman P, ''et al'' |title=[Treatment of recurrent Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea with a suspension of donor faeces] |language=Dutch; Flemish |journal=Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd |volume=152 |issue=35 |pages=1927–32 |year=2008 |month=August |pmid=18808083 |doi= |url= |issn=}}</ref> or colonoscopic<ref name="pmid22155369">{{cite journal| author=Mattila E, Uusitalo-Seppälä R, Wuorela M, Lehtola L, Nurmi H, Ristikankare M et al.| title=Fecal transplantation, through colonoscopy, is effective therapy for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection. | journal=Gastroenterology | year= 2012 | volume= 142 | issue= 3 | pages= 490-6 | pmid=22155369 | doi=10.1053/j.gastro.2011.11.037 | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=22155369  }} </ref> infusion of feces helped according to case reports.


Sebaihia et al (2006) determined the complete genomic sequence of C. difficile strain 630, a highly virulent and multidrug-resistant strain. It was found that the genome consists of a circular chromosome of 4,290,252 bp and a plasmid, pCD630, of 7,881 bp. The chromosome encodes 3,776 predicted coding sequences (CDSs), with resistance, virulence, and host interaction genes, while the plasmid carries only 11 CDSs, none of which has any obvious function. C. difficile has a highly mobile genome, with 11% of the genome consisting of mobile genetic elements, mostly in the form of conjugative transposons. Conjugative transposons are mobile genetic elements that are capable of integrating into and excising from the host genome and transferring themselves, and are responsible for the evolutionary acquisition by C. difficile of genes involved in resistance, virulence, and host interactions. Some of the mobile elements are prophage sequences. Host interaction genes involve genes that code for metabolic capability adaptations for survival and growth within the gut environment.<ref name="sebaihia">{{cite journal |author=Sebaihia M et al |title=The multidrug-resistant human pathogen ''Clostridium difficile'' has a highly mobile, mosaic genome |journal=Na. Gen. |volume=38 |pages=779–86 |year=2006 |pmid=16804543|doi=}}</ref>
===Monoclonal antibodies===
In a [[randomized controlled trial]], the [[relative risk ratio]] of adjunct treatment with [[monoclonal antibody|monoclonal antibodies]] against C. difficile toxins, as compared to [[placebo]], for recurrence of C. difficile infection was 0.3 and the [[relative risk reduction]] was 72.0%. In populations similar to those in this study which had a rate of risk as measured by the recurrence of C. difficile infection of 25% without treatment, the [[number needed to treat]] is 6. <ref name="pmid20089970">{{cite journal| author=Lowy I, Molrine DC, Leav BA, Blair BM, Baxter R, Gerding DN et al.| title=Treatment with monoclonal antibodies against Clostridium difficile toxins. | journal=N Engl J Med | year= 2010 | volume= 362 | issue= 3 | pages= 197-205 | pmid=20089970 | doi=10.1056/NEJMoa0907635 | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=20089970  }} </ref>


The genome carries several copies of a very interesting genetic element, the IStron. The IStron is a hybrid between an intron and an insertion sequence (IS), and can therefore insert itself into a DNA sequence, and later be excised from the primary mRNA transcript by cellular machinery. For example, a copy inserted in the tcdA gene (that encodes the enterotoxin A) renders the gene nonfunctional until the IStron is excised. Truncated copies of the IStron (containing only the IS sequence) were found in intergenic regions. Possibly, these truncated variants may be the answer to make C. difficile unable to produce functional toxins.
===Recurrent infection===
<ref name="sebaihia">{{cite journal |author=Sebaihia M et al |title=The multidrug-resistant human pathogen ''Clostridium difficile'' has a highly mobile, mosaic genome |journal=Na. Gen. |volume=38 |pages=779–86 |year=2006 |pmid=16804543|doi=}}</ref>
Regarding the cause of recurrences:<ref name="pmid21976462">{{cite journal| author=Kamboj M, Khosa P, Kaltsas A, Babady NE, Son C, Sepkowitz KA| title=Relapse versus reinfection: surveillance of Clostridium difficile infection. | journal=Clin Infect Dis | year= 2011 | volume= 53 | issue= 10 | pages= 1003-6 | pmid=21976462 | doi=10.1093/cid/cir643 | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=21976462  }} </ref>
* Second episode within 8 weeks, 88% are relapses
* Second episode after > 8 weeks, 65% are relapse


==Cell structure and metabolism==
A [[clinical prediction rule]] found that recurrent infection is more likely if age is more than 65 years, the patient has severe or fulminant illness, and  additional antibiotic exposure occurs after after treatment of the initial Clostridium difficile infection.<ref name="pmid19162027">{{cite journal |author=Hu MY, Katchar K, Kyne L, ''et al'' |title=Prospective Derivation and Validation of a Clinical Prediction Rule for Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection |journal=Gastroenterology |volume= |issue= |pages= |year=2008 |month=December |pmid=19162027 |doi=10.1053/j.gastro.2008.12.038 |url=http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0016-5085(08)02262-2 |issn=}}</ref> Use of antacids may also be a risk factor for recurrence.<ref name="pmid18951661">{{cite journal |author=Garey KW, Sethi S, Yadav Y, DuPont HL |title=Meta-analysis to assess risk factors for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection |journal=J. Hosp. Infect. |volume=70 |issue=4 |pages=298–304 |year=2008 |month=December |pmid=18951661 |doi=10.1016/j.jhin.2008.08.012 |url=http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0195-6701(08)00352-6 |issn=}}</ref>


Clostridia are Gram-positive, anaerobic, spore-forming, rod-shaped, motile bacteria. As spores, the bacteria look like drumsticks, with a bulge located at one end. C. difficile produces an S layer (polysaccharide capsule) that contributes to its pathogenicity. C. difficile has flagellae that contribute to its motility.
Asymptomatic carriage should not be treated according to a [[meta-analysis]].<ref name="pmid9500319">{{cite journal |author=Shim JK, Johnson S, Samore MH, Bliss DZ, Gerding DN |title=Primary symptomless colonisation by Clostridium difficile and decreased risk of subsequent diarrhoea |journal=Lancet |volume=351 |issue=9103 |pages=633–6 |year=1998 |month=February |pmid=9500319 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(97)08062-8 |url=http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0140-6736(97)08062-8 |issn=}}</ref>


C. difficile is an obligate fermenter, and exhibits optimal growth in blood agar at human body temperatures in the absence of oxygen. The metabolism of C. difficile is in large part adapted to life in the intestinal tract. It produces enzymes that degrade nutrients abundant in the intestine. Carbohydrates are the preferred nutrient source, and C. difficile has the ability to metabolize a wide range of carbohydrates. The bacteria also have a relatively unique ability to utilize ethanolamine, an abundant phospholipid provided by the host’s dietary intake, as a carbon and nitrogen source.<ref name="sebaihia">{{cite journal |author=Sebaihia M et al |title=The multidrug-resistant human pathogen ''Clostridium difficile'' has a highly mobile, mosaic genome |journal=Na. Gen. |volume=38 |pages=779–86 |year=2006 |pmid=16804543|doi=}}</ref>
====Antibiotics====
Observational [[cohort study|studies]] conflict regarding the best agent and suggest [[vancomycin]] may<ref name="pmid12135033">{{cite journal |author=McFarland LV, Elmer GW, Surawicz CM |title=Breaking the cycle: treatment strategies for 163 cases of recurrent Clostridium difficile disease |journal=Am. J. Gastroenterol. |volume=97 |issue=7 |pages=1769–75 |year=2002 |month=July |pmid=12135033 |doi=10.1016/S0002-9270(02)04195-3 |url= |issn=}}</ref> or may not<ref name="pmid16477549">{{cite journal |author=Pépin J, Routhier S, Gagnon S, Brazeau I |title=Management and outcomes of a first recurrence of Clostridium difficile-associated disease in Quebec, Canada |journal=Clin. Infect. Dis. |volume=42 |issue=6 |pages=758–64 |year=2006 |month=March |pmid=16477549 |doi=10.1086/501126 |url=http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/501126?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%3dncbi.nlm.nih.gov |issn=}}</ref> be better than [[metronidazole]]. Various methods exist for the administration of [[vancomycin]]<ref name="pmid12135033">{{cite journal |author=McFarland LV, Elmer GW, Surawicz CM |title=Breaking the cycle: treatment strategies for 163 cases of recurrent Clostridium difficile disease |journal=Am. J. Gastroenterol. |volume=97 |issue=7 |pages=1769–75 |year=2002 |month=July |pmid=12135033 |doi=10.1016/S0002-9270(02)04195-3 |url= |issn=}}</ref><ref name="pmid4050760">{{cite journal |author=Tedesco FJ, Gordon D, Fortson WC |title=Approach to patients with multiple relapses of antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis |journal=Am. J. Gastroenterol. |volume=80 |issue=11 |pages=867–8 |year=1985 |month=November |pmid=4050760 |doi= |url= |issn=}}</ref> and [[metronidazole]]<ref name="pmid19086244">{{cite journal |author=Mattila E, Anttila VJ, Broas M, ''et al'' |title=A randomized, double-blind study comparing Clostridium difficile immune whey and metronidazole for recurrent Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea: efficacy and safety data of a prematurely interrupted trial |journal=Scand. J. Infect. Dis. |volume=40 |issue=9 |pages=702–8 |year=2008 |pmid=19086244 |doi= |url= |issn=}}</ref>.


C. difficile has the enzyme that catalyzes the decarboxylation of p-hydroxyphenylacetate (a tyrosine degradation product) to p-crysol, a compound that stunts bacterial growth. C. difficile produces and tolerates high concentrations of p-crysol, giving it a competitive advantage over the normal bacterial flora in the intestine.<ref name="sebaihia">{{cite journal |author=Sebaihia M et al |title=The multidrug-resistant human pathogen ''Clostridium difficile'' has a highly mobile, mosaic genome |journal=Na. Gen. |volume=38 |pages=779–86 |year=2006 |pmid=16804543|doi=}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+ [[Cohort study|Cohort studies]] and case series of the treatment of Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea
! &nbsp;!! Patients !! Intervention / duration!! Comparison !! Outcome:<br/>Recurrence rate
|-
|colspan="5" align="center"|Approximately 2 weeks
|-
|Vancomycin constant dose<ref name="pmid16477549"/>||171 patients||0.5 to 2 grams daily<br/>10 - 14 days||align="center"|NA||40%
|-
|Metronidazole constant dose<ref name="pmid16477549"/>||115 patients||1.0 to 1.5 grams per day<br/>10 - 14 days||align="center"|NA||37%
|-
|Metronidazole constant dose<ref name="pmid19086244"/>||20 patients||Metronidzole 1200 mg daily<br/>14 days||align="center"|NA||45%
|-
| Vancomycin constant dose<ref name="pmid12135033"/>||83 patients||0.5 to 3 grams/day<br/>10 - 16 days||align="center"|NA||54%
|-
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;high dose<ref name="pmid12135033"/>||21 patients|| ≥2 grams/day<br/>10 - 16 days||align="center"|NA||&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;43%
|-
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;medium dose<ref name="pmid12135033"/>||14 patients|| 1 - 2 grams/day<br/>10 - 16 days||align="center"|NA||&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;71%
|-
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;low dose<ref name="pmid12135033"/>||48 patients|| < 1 grams/day<br/>10 - 16 days||align="center"|NA||&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;54%
|-
| Metronidazole constant dose<ref name="pmid12135033"/>||36 patients||0.5 to 3 grams/day<br/>10 - 16 days||align="center"|NA||42%
|-
|colspan="5" align="center"|Approximately 3 weeks
|-
|Vancomycin tapered dose<ref name="pmid12135033"/>||29 patients||Varying doses<br/>21.5 ± 10.0 days||align="center"|NA||31%
|-
|Vancomycin pulsed dose<ref name="pmid12135033"/>||7 patients||Varying doses<br/>21 days||align="center"|NA||14%
|-
|colspan="5" align="center"|More than 3 weeks
|-
|Vancomycin followed by rifaximin<ref name="pmid17304459"/>||8 patients||Vancomycin of unknown duration followed by rifaximin 400–800 mg daily for 14 days<br/>≥ 21 days||align="center"|NA||13%
|-
|Vancomycin tapered & pulsed dose<ref name="pmid4050760"/>||22 patients||125 mg four times daily tapered to 125 mg every third day<br/>42 days||align="center"|NA||0%
|}


==Ecology==
Serial therapy with [[vancomycin]] and [[rifaximin]] has been studied in a small uncontrolled series of patients.<ref name="pmid17304459">{{cite journal |author=Johnson S, Schriever C, Galang M, Kelly CP, Gerding DN |title=Interruption of recurrent Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea episodes by serial therapy with vancomycin and rifaximin |journal=Clin. Infect. Dis. |volume=44 |issue=6 |pages=846–8 |year=2007 |month=March |pmid=17304459 |doi=10.1086/511870 |url=http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/511870?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%3dncbi.nlm.nih.gov |issn=}}</ref>


C. difficile is found throughout nature, especially in soil. It exhibits optimal growth in blood agar at human body temperatures in the absence of oxygen. It can remain dormant in hospitals in the form of spores until patient inoculation. Following treatment of antibiotics, C. difficile overgrows in the intestinal tract, causing pseudomembranous colitis, and consequently diarrhea.
====Administration of bacteria====
[[Probiotic]]s may help.<ref name="pmid18545161">{{cite journal |author=Surawicz CM |title=Role of probiotics in antibiotic-associated diarrhea, Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, and recurrent Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea |journal=J. Clin. Gastroenterol. |volume=42 Suppl 2 |issue= |pages=S64–70 |year=2008 |month=July |pmid=18545161 |doi=10.1097/MCG.0b013e3181646d09 |url= |issn=}}</ref> However, probiotics can be harmful among [[intensive care]] patients.<ref name="pmid15889360">{{cite journal |author=Muñoz P, Bouza E, Cuenca-Estrella M, ''et al'' |title=Saccharomyces cerevisiae fungemia: an emerging infectious disease |journal=Clin. Infect. Dis. |volume=40 |issue=11 |pages=1625–34 |year=2005 |month=June |pmid=15889360 |doi=10.1086/429916 |url=http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/resolve?CID35391 |issn=}}</ref>


==Pathology==
Rectal<ref name="pmid6137662"/><ref name="pmid18808083">{{cite journal |author=Nieuwdorp M, van Nood E, Speelman P, ''et al'' |title=[Treatment of recurrent Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea with a suspension of donor faeces] |language=Dutch; Flemish |journal=Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd |volume=152 |issue=35 |pages=1927–32 |year=2008 |month=August |pmid=18808083 |doi= |url= |issn=}}</ref> or colonoscopic<ref name="pmid22155369">{{cite journal| author=Mattila E, Uusitalo-Seppälä R, Wuorela M, Lehtola L, Nurmi H, Ristikankare M et al.| title=Fecal transplantation, through colonoscopy, is effective therapy for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection. | journal=Gastroenterology | year= 2012 | volume= 142 | issue= 3 | pages= 490-6 | pmid=22155369 | doi=10.1053/j.gastro.2011.11.037 | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=22155369  }} </ref> infusion of feces helped according to case reports.


''C. difficile'' is transmitted from person to person in a fecal-oral fashion in the form of vegetative cells and heat-resistant spores. Most vegetative cells are killed in the stomach, but spores pass through the stomach unaffected because of their acid resistance. Spores germinate in the small bowel upon exposure to bile acids. ''C. difficile'' multiplies in the colon and overgrows in the absence of competitors (following antibiotic treatment). Mucosa of the gut allows'' C. difficile'' adherence to the colonic epithelium.<ref name="cdiffposter">C. difficile. 12 Apr. 2008. The Writing Lab and OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. 10 March 2006. <http://media.romanvenable.net/images/cDiffLarge.jpeg></ref>
==Prevention==
===Administration of bacteria===
[[Probiotic]] administration may prevent C diff diarrhea according to [[meta-analysis|meta-analyses]]<ref name="pmid23362517">{{cite journal| author=Johnston BC, Ma SS, Goldenberg JZ, Thorlund K, Vandvik PO, Loeb M et al.| title=Probiotics for the prevention of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis. | journal=Ann Intern Med | year= 2012 | volume= 157 | issue= 12 | pages= 878-88 | pmid=23362517 | doi= | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=23362517  }}  [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=23689777 Review in: Ann Intern Med. 2013 May 21;158(10):JC10] </ref><ref name="pmid16635227">{{cite journal |author=McFarland LV |title=Meta-analysis of probiotics for the prevention of antibiotic associated diarrhea and the treatment of Clostridium difficile disease |journal=Am. J. Gastroenterol. |volume=101 |issue=4 |pages=812–22 |year=2006 |month=April |pmid=16635227 |doi=10.1111/j.1572-0241.2006.00465.x |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1572-0241.2006.00465.x |issn=}}</ref><ref name="pmid18545161">{{cite journal |author=Surawicz CM |title=Role of probiotics in antibiotic-associated diarrhea, Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, and recurrent Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea |journal=J. Clin. Gastroenterol. |volume=42 Suppl 2 |issue= |pages=S64–70 |year=2008 |month=July |pmid=18545161 |doi=10.1097/MCG.0b013e3181646d09 |url= |issn=}}</ref>. However, a more recent randomized controlled trial was negative.<ref>Allen SJ et al. Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and Clostridium difficile diarrhoea in older inpatients (PLACIDE): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial. The Lancet 08 August 2013 {{doi|10.1016/S0140-6736(13)61218-0}}</ref>


Different pathogenic strains of ''C. difficile'' produce different toxins, but the most common ones are enterotoxin (toxin A) and cytotoxin (toxin B). The two toxins lead to "the production of tumour necrosis factor-alpha and pro-inflammatory interleukins, increased vascular permeability, neutrophil and monocyte recruitment, opening of epithelial cell junctions and epithelial cell apoptosis." Hydrolytic enzymes cause connective tissue to degrade, leading to colitis, pseudomembrane formation and watery diarrhea.<ref name="cdiffposter">C. difficile. 12 Apr. 2008. The Writing Lab and OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. 10 March 2006. <http://media.romanvenable.net/images/cDiffLarge.jpeg></ref>
Probiotics can be harmful among [[intensive care]] patients.<ref name="pmid15889360">{{cite journal |author=Muñoz P, Bouza E, Cuenca-Estrella M, ''et al'' |title=Saccharomyces cerevisiae fungemia: an emerging infectious disease |journal=Clin. Infect. Dis. |volume=40 |issue=11 |pages=1625–34 |year=2005 |month=June |pmid=15889360 |doi=10.1086/429916 |url=http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/resolve?CID35391 |issn=}}</ref>


''Clostridium difficile'' infection (CDI) can range in severity from asymptomatic to life threatening. Death is more common among the aged (>65). Patient symptoms include severe diarrhea, exposure to antibiotics, foul stool odor, and abdominal pain.<ref name="cdiffposter">C. difficile. 12 Apr. 2008. The Writing Lab and OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. 10 March 2006. <http://media.romanvenable.net/images/cDiffLarge.jpeg></ref>
==Prognosis==
A leukocyte count at least 20.0  10<sup>9</sup>/L or a creatinine level (200 µmol/L or 2.2 mg/dl or greater) predict adverse outcomes.<ref name="pmid15337727">{{cite journal| author=Pépin J, Valiquette L, Alary ME, Villemure P, Pelletier A, Forget K et al.| title=Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea in a region of Quebec from 1991 to 2003: a changing pattern of disease severity. | journal=CMAJ | year= 2004 | volume= 171 | issue= 5 | pages= 466-72 | pmid=15337727
| url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=clinical.uthscsa.edu/cite&email=badgett@uthscdsa.edu&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=15337727 | doi=10.1503/cmaj.1041104 | pmc=PMC514643 }} <!--Formatted by http://sumsearch.uthscsa.edu/cite/--></ref>


==Research==
==Research==
There is an ongoing search for new therapeutic strategies to battle the ever-increasing pathogenicity of the C. difficile strains. Barreto et al (2008) have recently released a study on the effects of the polysaccharide fucoidin, an L-selectin blocker, on toxin-A-induced mouse enteritis. Enteritis is medical term that refers to the inflammation of the intestine, usually accompanies by diarrhea. Fucoidin or the placebo (saline) was injected into the mouse, and 5 minutes later, toxin A was locally released. To measure the effect of fucoidin, intestinal fluid volume/length and ileal loop weight/length ratios were calculated three hours later. It was found that fucoidin significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the toxin-A-induced increase in weight/length and volume/length ratios and reduced mucosal disruption.<ref name="barreto">{{cite journal |author=Barreto AR et al |title=Fucoidin Prevents Clostridium difficile Toxin-A-Induced Ileal Enteritis in Mice |journal=Dig. Dis. Sci. |volume=53(4) |pages=990-6 |year=2008 |pmid=17805968|doi=}}</ref>
There is an ongoing search for new therapeutic strategies to battle the ever-increasing pathogenicity of the C. difficile strains. Barreto et al (2008) have recently released a study on the effects of the polysaccharide fucoidin, an L-selectin blocker, on toxin-A-induced mouse enteritis. Enteritis is medical term that refers to the inflammation of the intestine, usually accompanies by diarrhea. Fucoidin or the placebo (saline) was injected into the mouse, and 5 minutes later, toxin A was locally released. To measure the effect of fucoidin, intestinal fluid volume/length and ileal loop weight/length ratios were calculated three hours later. It was found that fucoidin significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the toxin-A-induced increase in weight/length and volume/length ratios and reduced mucosal disruption.<ref name="barreto">{{cite journal |author=Barreto AR et al |title=Fucoidin Prevents Clostridium difficile Toxin-A-Induced Ileal Enteritis in Mice |journal=Dig. Dis. Sci. |volume=53(4) |pages=990-6 |year=2008 |pmid=17805968|doi=}}</ref>


Gerber and Ackermann (2008) have published a report on another treatment option, OPT-80. OPT-80 (otherwise known as tiacumicin B, lipiarmycin or PAR-101) is “an antimicrobial with little or no systemic absorption after oral administration and narrow activity spectrum against Gram-positive aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.” OPT-80 is highly effective at very low concentrations, making it a very safe and efficient drug. More clinical trials are to be completed, but for now results look promising.<ref name="gerber">{{cite journal |author=Gerber M, Ackermann G |title=OPT-80, a macrocyclic antimicrobial agent for the treatment of Clostridium difficile infections: a review |journal=Expert. Opin. Investig. Drugs |volume=17(4) |pages=547–53 |year=2008 |pmid=18363518|doi=}}</ref>
Gerber and Ackermann (2008) have published a report on another treatment option, OPT-80. OPT-80 (otherwise known as tiacumicin B, lipiarmycin or PAR-101) is “an antimicrobial with little or no systemic absorption after oral administration and narrow activity spectrum against Gram-positive aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.” OPT-80 is highly effective at very low concentrations, making it a very safe and efficient drug. More clinical trials are to be completed, but for now results look promising.<ref name="gerber">{{cite journal |author=Gerber M, Ackermann G |title=OPT-80, a macrocyclic antimicrobial agent for the treatment of Clostridium difficile infections: a review |journal=Expert. Opin. Investig. Drugs |volume=17(4) |pages=547–53 |year=2008 |pmid=18363518|doi=}}</ref>


The reason why C. difficile-associated disease (CDAD) is becoming such a widespread nosocomial disease is because the spores it forms are resistant to heat, chemicals, antibiotics, and radiation, making the hospital environment difficult to sanitize. The study of C. difficile  germination from spores to vegetative cells will shed light on the strengths and weaknesses of the spores, and will thus lead to the development of methods for spore eradication. Sorg and Sonenshein (2008) studied the effects of the components of bile on the germination of C. difficile spores. They found that cholate derivatives and glycine act to induce germination in the duodenum. It was found that, interestingly, deoxycholate, a metabolite of cholate (produced by the normal intestinal flora) induces germination while preventing growth of vegetative cells. This implies a mechanism by which normal gut flora can mediate the levels of vegetative C. difficile cells in the gut..<ref name="sorg">{{cite journal |author=Sorg JA, Sonenshein AL |title=Bile salts and glycine as cogerminants for Clostridium difficile spores |journal=J Bacteriol |volume=190(7) |pages=2505-12 |year=2008 |pmid=18245298|doi=}}</ref>
The reason why C. difficile-associated disease (CDAD) is becoming such a widespread nosocomial disease is because the spores it forms are resistant to heat, chemicals, antibiotics, and radiation, making the hospital environment difficult to sanitize. The study of C. difficile  germination from spores to vegetative cells will shed light on the strengths and weaknesses of the spores, and will thus lead to the development of methods for spore eradication. Sorg and Sonenshein (2008) studied the effects of the components of bile on the germination of C. difficile spores. They found that cholate derivatives and glycine act to induce germination in the duodenum. It was found that, interestingly, deoxycholate, a metabolite of cholate (produced by the normal intestinal flora) induces germination while preventing growth of vegetative cells. This implies a mechanism by which normal gut flora can mediate the levels of vegetative C. difficile cells in the gut.<ref name="sorg">{{cite journal |author=Sorg JA, Sonenshein AL |title=Bile salts and glycine as cogerminants for Clostridium difficile spores |journal=J Bacteriol |volume=190(7) |pages=2505-12 |year=2008 |pmid=18245298|doi=}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
<small>
<references>


<references/>
</references>
 
</small>
http://media.romanvenable.net/images/cDiffLarge.jpeg


http://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Clostridium
[[Category:Suggestion Bot Tag]]

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Clostridium difficile
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Prokaryote
Phylum: Firmicutes
Class: Clostridia
Order: Clostridiales
Family: Clostridiaceae
Genus: Clostridium
Species: Difficile
Binomial name
Clostridium difficile

Clostridium difficile is a spore-forming, anaerobic, toxin-producing bacterium that is a "common inhabitant of the colon flora in human infants and sometimes in adults. It produces a toxin that causes pseudomembranous enterocolitis in patients receiving antibiotic therapy."[1] C. difficile superinfection after oral antibiotic therapy, leading to potentially fatal pseudomembranous enterocolitis, has been an increasingly severe public health problem. Indeed, many primary physicians now consider it wise to warn outpatients on antibiotics to seek immediate consultation if they develop severe diarrhea.

C. difficile is present at low levels in the gut flora of about 3% of adults. These people however show no symptoms and do not need to be treated. The infection occurs when a person is treated with antibiotics targeted against other bacteria. The disease is for the most part nosocomial. Patients who are hospitalized come in contact and are often inoculated with the bacteria. When the patient is treated with antibiotics, especially those with a broad range of activity, the normal gut flora is disrupted, and C. difficile, with its multi-drug resistance, experiences overgrowth. The bacteria releases large quantities of enterotoxins (toxin A) and cytotoxins (toxin B), causing pseudomembranous enterocolitis.

scanning electron micrograph of C. difficile

History

In 1935, Hall and O’Toole first isolated the bacteria from the stools of newborns and described it. They named it Bacillus difficilis because it was hard to isolate and grew very slowly in culture.[2]

C. difficile is an important pathogen that is currently increasing in its prevalence world-wide. A complete genome sequence would enable geneticists to come up with a more direct and efficient treatment against the pathogen. The genetic material encodes for antimicrobial resistance, production of toxins (virulence), host interaction (adaptations for survival and growth within the gut environment), and the production of surface structures. The understanding of how these genes interact with their environment will be useful in developing therapies against C. difficile associated diseases.[3]

Genome structure

Sebaihia et al (2006) determined the complete genomic sequence of C. difficile strain 630, a highly virulent and multidrug-resistant strain. It was found that the genome consists of a circular chromosome of 4,290,252 bp and a plasmid, pCD630, of 7,881 bp. The chromosome encodes 3,776 predicted coding sequences (CDSs), with resistance, virulence, and host interaction genes, while the plasmid carries only 11 CDSs, none of which has any obvious function. C. difficile has a highly mobile genome, with 11% of the genome consisting of mobile genetic elements, mostly in the form of conjugative transposons. Conjugative transposons are mobile genetic elements that are capable of integrating into and excising from the host genome and transferring themselves, and are responsible for the evolutionary acquisition by C. difficile of genes involved in resistance, virulence, and host interactions. Some of the mobile elements are prophage sequences. Host interaction genes involve genes that code for metabolic capability adaptations for survival and growth within the gut environment.[3]

The genome carries several copies of a very interesting genetic element, the IStron. The IStron is a hybrid between an intron and an insertion sequence (IS), and can therefore insert itself into a DNA sequence, and later be excised from the primary mRNA transcript by cellular machinery. For example, a copy inserted in the tcdA gene (that encodes the enterotoxin A) renders the gene nonfunctional until the IStron is excised. Truncated copies of the IStron (containing only the IS sequence) were found in intergenic regions. Possibly, these truncated variants may be the answer to make C. difficile unable to produce functional toxins. [3]

Cell structure and metabolism

Clostridia are Gram-positive, anaerobic, spore-forming, rod-shaped, motile bacteria. As spores, the bacteria look like drumsticks, with a bulge located at one end. C. difficile produces an S layer (polysaccharide capsule) that contributes to its pathogenicity. C. difficile has flagellae that contribute to its motility.[4]

C. difficile is an obligate fermenter, and exhibits optimal growth in blood agar at human body temperatures in the absence of oxygen. The metabolism of C. difficile is in large part adapted to life in the intestinal tract.[5] It produces enzymes that degrade nutrients abundant in the intestine. Carbohydrates are the preferred nutrient source, and C. difficile has the ability to metabolize a wide range of carbohydrates. The bacteria also have a relatively unique ability to utilize ethanolamine, an abundant phospholipid provided by the host’s dietary intake, as a carbon and nitrogen source.[3]

C. difficile has the enzyme that catalyzes the decarboxylation of p-hydroxyphenylacetate (a tyrosine degradation product) to p-crysol, a compound that stunts bacterial growth. C. difficile produces and tolerates high concentrations of p-crysol, giving it a competitive advantage over the normal bacterial flora in the intestine.[3]

Ecology

C. difficile is found throughout nature, especially in soil. It exhibits optimal growth in blood agar at human body temperatures in the absence of oxygen. It can remain dormant in hospitals in the form of spores until patient inoculation. Following treatment of antibiotics, C. difficile overgrows in the intestinal tract, causing pseudomembranous enterocolitis, and consequently diarrhea.[6]

Pathology

C. difficile is transmitted from person to person by the fecal-oral route in the form of vegetative cells and heat-resistant spores. Most vegetative cells are killed in the stomach, but spores pass through the stomach unaffected because of their acid resistance. Spores germinate in the small bowel upon exposure to bile acids. C. difficile multiplies in the colon and overgrows in the absence of competitors (following antibiotic treatment). Mucosa of the gut allows C. difficile adherence to the colonic epithelium.[7]

Different pathogenic strains of C. difficile produce different toxins, but the most common ones are enterotoxin (toxin A) and cytotoxin (toxin B). The two toxins lead to "the production of tumour necrosis factor-alpha and pro-inflammatory interleukins, increased vascular permeability, neutrophil and monocyte recruitment, opening of epithelial cell junctions and epithelial cell apoptosis." Hydrolytic enzymes cause connective tissue to degrade, leading to colitis, pseudomembrane formation and watery diarrhea.[7] Toxin B is thought to be essential for disease to occur.[8]

Risk factors for acquisition include use of proton pump inhibitor medications.[9][10][11]

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) can range in severity from asymptomatic to life threatening. Death is more common among the aged (>65). Patient symptoms include severe diarrhea, exposure to antibiotics, foul stool odor, and abdominal pain.[7]

Pseudomembranous enterocolitis, a CDAD

Diagnosis

Clinical practice guidelines address diagnosis.[12]

Two clinical prediction rules suggests which patients will have positive toxin results.[13][14] Unfortunately, neither of these studies used the sensitive polymerase chain reaction as a reference standard.

  • Clostridium difficile is very unlikely among patients "without a history of antibiotic use and either significant diarrhea or abdominal pain."[13]

Suggestive medical history

A history of exposure to antibiotics in the last 30 days is present in most all patients.[13]

Clostridium difficile should be suspected among patients with "clinically significant diarrhea, usually defined as 3 or more loose stools per day for at least 1 to 2 days".[15] Significant diarrhea is defined as one day of "at least three partially formed or watery stools, 1 L of colostomy output, or more than 200 ml of watery rectal bad output" or "multiple or several loose stools."[13]

Laboratory tests

The accuracy of laboratory tests is in the table.[16]

Accuracy of stool tests for
presumed Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea[16]
  Sensitivity Specificity
Cytotoxin by enzyme immunoassay 73% 97%
Cell culture cytotoxin assay
(tissue culture assay)		 77% 97%
Real-time polymerase chain reaction for
toxin B gene		 93% 97%
Anaerobic culture
(for toxigenic C. difficile strains)		 100% 96%
Sigmoidoscopy[17]
(for pseudomembranes)		 31%  

Colonoscopy

Based on a few studies, most patients with Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea do not have pseudomembranous enterocolitis upon colonoscopy.[18][19]

Treatment

Clinical practice guidelines[12] and a systematic review[20] address treatment.

Antibiotics

Randomized controlled trials of interventions for Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea[21][22]
Trial Patients Intervention Comparison Outcome Results - cure Results - recurrence
Intervention Control Intervention Control
Louie et al[21]
2011		 629 patients
• mild to severe		 Fidaxomicin
• 200 mg twice daily
• 10 days		 Vancomycin
• 125 mg 4 times/day
• 10 days		 stool toxin after 4 weeks 88% 86% 15% 25%
Zar et al[22]
2007		 150 patients
• mild to severe		 Metronidazole
• 250 mg 4 times/day
• 10 days		 Vancomycin
• 125 mg 4 times/ day
• 10 days		 stool toxin after 3 weeks 90%
(76% if severe)		 98%
(97% if severe)		 15% 14%

Various antibiotics have been studied in randomized controlled trials.[23][24][25] Teicoplanin may be the most effective antibiotic.[23][24] Vancomycin has an insignificant trend towards being better than metronidazole;[23] metronidazole is likely to be the least expensive of the group and is not a last resort for other highly resistant organisms.

"Our findings suggest that metronidazole and vancomycin are equally effective for the treatment of mild CDAD, but vancomycin is superior for treating patients with severe CDAD." according to a randomized controlled trial. [22]

In a randomized controlled trial, the relative risk ratio of fidaxomicin, as compared to vancomycin, for recurrence of C. difficile infection was 0.6 and the relative risk reduction was 40.0%. In populations similar to those in this study which had a rate of risk as measured by the recurrence of C. difficile infection of 25% without treatment, the number needed to treat is 10. [21]

Consider vancomycin if the patient has two or more points from the following:[26]

  • 1 point for each of
    • WBC > 15k
    • albumin < 2.5
    • age > 60
    • temperature > 38.3° C
  • 2 points for each of
    • Pseudomembranous colitis
    • Intensive care

It should be noted that vancomycin is given orally in this condition, and is not absorbed systemically. While it still needs to be used with care to avoid the development of resistant organisms, the risk may be lower than if it is used as a parenteral therapy for already resistant pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

In a randomized controlled trial, the relative risk ratio of fidaxomicin, as compared to vancomycin, for recurrence of C. difficile infection was 0.6 and the relative risk reduction was 40.0%. In populations similar to those in this study which had a rate of risk as measured by the recurrence of C. difficile infection of 25% without treatment, the number needed to treat is 10. [21]

A case series suggests tigecycline for severe disease.[27]

Probiotics (administration of bacteria)

Probiotic administration may not treataccording to a meta-analyses.[28] Probiotics can be harmful among intensive care patients.[29]

Rectal[30][31] or colonoscopic[32] infusion of feces helped according to case reports.

Monoclonal antibodies

In a randomized controlled trial, the relative risk ratio of adjunct treatment with monoclonal antibodies against C. difficile toxins, as compared to placebo, for recurrence of C. difficile infection was 0.3 and the relative risk reduction was 72.0%. In populations similar to those in this study which had a rate of risk as measured by the recurrence of C. difficile infection of 25% without treatment, the number needed to treat is 6. [33]

Recurrent infection

Regarding the cause of recurrences:[34]

  • Second episode within 8 weeks, 88% are relapses
  • Second episode after > 8 weeks, 65% are relapse

A clinical prediction rule found that recurrent infection is more likely if age is more than 65 years, the patient has severe or fulminant illness, and additional antibiotic exposure occurs after after treatment of the initial Clostridium difficile infection.[35] Use of antacids may also be a risk factor for recurrence.[36]

Asymptomatic carriage should not be treated according to a meta-analysis.[37]

Antibiotics

Observational studies conflict regarding the best agent and suggest vancomycin may[38] or may not[39] be better than metronidazole. Various methods exist for the administration of vancomycin[38][40] and metronidazole[41].

Cohort studies and case series of the treatment of Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea
  Patients Intervention / duration Comparison Outcome:
Recurrence rate
Approximately 2 weeks
Vancomycin constant dose[39] 171 patients 0.5 to 2 grams daily
10 - 14 days		 NA 40%
Metronidazole constant dose[39] 115 patients 1.0 to 1.5 grams per day
10 - 14 days		 NA 37%
Metronidazole constant dose[41] 20 patients Metronidzole 1200 mg daily
14 days		 NA 45%
Vancomycin constant dose[38] 83 patients 0.5 to 3 grams/day
10 - 16 days		 NA 54%
     high dose[38] 21 patients ≥2 grams/day
10 - 16 days		 NA      43%
     medium dose[38] 14 patients 1 - 2 grams/day
10 - 16 days		 NA      71%
     low dose[38] 48 patients < 1 grams/day
10 - 16 days		 NA      54%
Metronidazole constant dose[38] 36 patients 0.5 to 3 grams/day
10 - 16 days		 NA 42%
Approximately 3 weeks
Vancomycin tapered dose[38] 29 patients Varying doses
21.5 ± 10.0 days		 NA 31%
Vancomycin pulsed dose[38] 7 patients Varying doses
21 days		 NA 14%
More than 3 weeks
Vancomycin followed by rifaximin[42] 8 patients Vancomycin of unknown duration followed by rifaximin 400–800 mg daily for 14 days
≥ 21 days		 NA 13%
Vancomycin tapered & pulsed dose[40] 22 patients 125 mg four times daily tapered to 125 mg every third day
42 days		 NA 0%

Serial therapy with vancomycin and rifaximin has been studied in a small uncontrolled series of patients.[42]

Administration of bacteria

Probiotics may help.[43] However, probiotics can be harmful among intensive care patients.[29]

Rectal[30][31] or colonoscopic[32] infusion of feces helped according to case reports.

Prevention

Administration of bacteria

Probiotic administration may prevent C diff diarrhea according to meta-analyses[44][45][43]. However, a more recent randomized controlled trial was negative.[46]

Probiotics can be harmful among intensive care patients.[29]

Prognosis

A leukocyte count at least 20.0 109/L or a creatinine level (200 µmol/L or 2.2 mg/dl or greater) predict adverse outcomes.[47]

Research

There is an ongoing search for new therapeutic strategies to battle the ever-increasing pathogenicity of the C. difficile strains. Barreto et al (2008) have recently released a study on the effects of the polysaccharide fucoidin, an L-selectin blocker, on toxin-A-induced mouse enteritis. Enteritis is medical term that refers to the inflammation of the intestine, usually accompanies by diarrhea. Fucoidin or the placebo (saline) was injected into the mouse, and 5 minutes later, toxin A was locally released. To measure the effect of fucoidin, intestinal fluid volume/length and ileal loop weight/length ratios were calculated three hours later. It was found that fucoidin significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the toxin-A-induced increase in weight/length and volume/length ratios and reduced mucosal disruption.[48]

Gerber and Ackermann (2008) have published a report on another treatment option, OPT-80. OPT-80 (otherwise known as tiacumicin B, lipiarmycin or PAR-101) is “an antimicrobial with little or no systemic absorption after oral administration and narrow activity spectrum against Gram-positive aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.” OPT-80 is highly effective at very low concentrations, making it a very safe and efficient drug. More clinical trials are to be completed, but for now results look promising.[49]

The reason why C. difficile-associated disease (CDAD) is becoming such a widespread nosocomial disease is because the spores it forms are resistant to heat, chemicals, antibiotics, and radiation, making the hospital environment difficult to sanitize. The study of C. difficile germination from spores to vegetative cells will shed light on the strengths and weaknesses of the spores, and will thus lead to the development of methods for spore eradication. Sorg and Sonenshein (2008) studied the effects of the components of bile on the germination of C. difficile spores. They found that cholate derivatives and glycine act to induce germination in the duodenum. It was found that, interestingly, deoxycholate, a metabolite of cholate (produced by the normal intestinal flora) induces germination while preventing growth of vegetative cells. This implies a mechanism by which normal gut flora can mediate the levels of vegetative C. difficile cells in the gut.[50]

References

  1. ↑ Anonymous (2024), term (English). Medical Subject Headings. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
  2. ↑ Hall I, O'Toole E (1935). "Intestinal flora in newborn infants with a description of a new pathogenic anaerobe, Bacillus difficilis". Am. J. Dis. Child 49: 390.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Sebaihia M et al (2006). "The multidrug-resistant human pathogen Clostridium difficile has a highly mobile, mosaic genome". Na. Gen. 38: 779–86. PMID 16804543. [e]
  4. ↑ Kumm, Jaklyn (16 April 2009). General Characteristics of Clostridium difficile. University of Wisconsin. Retrieved on 31 October 2013.
  5. ↑ (June 2010) "Clostridium difficile: An intestinal infection on the rise". Harvard Men's Health Watch. Retrieved on 31 October 2013.
  6. ↑ Vorvick, Linda; George F. Longstreth, and David Zieve. Pseudomembranous colitis. MedlinePlus. Retrieved on 31 October 2013.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 C. difficile. 12 Apr. 2008. The Writing Lab and OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. 10 March 2006. <http://media.romanvenable.net/images/cDiffLarge.jpeg>
  8. ↑ Lyras D, O'Connor JR, Howarth PM, Sambol SP, Carter GP, Phumoonna T et al. (2009). "Toxin B is essential for virulence of Clostridium difficile.". Nature 458 (7242): 1176-9. DOI:10.1038/nature07822. PMID 19252482. PMC PMC2679968. Research Blogging.
  9. ↑ Kwok CS, Arthur AK, Anibueze CI, Singh S, Cavallazzi R, Loke YK (2012). "Risk of Clostridium difficile Infection With Acid Suppressing Drugs and Antibiotics: Meta-Analysis.". Am J Gastroenterol 107 (7): 1011-9. DOI:10.1038/ajg.2012.108. PMID 22525304. Research Blogging.
  10. ↑ Janarthanan S, Ditah I, Adler DG, Ehrinpreis MN (2012). "Clostridium difficile-Associated Diarrhea and Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy: A Meta-Analysis.". Am J Gastroenterol 107 (7): 1001-10. DOI:10.1038/ajg.2012.179. PMID 22710578. Research Blogging.
  11. ↑ Howell MD, Novack V, Grgurich P, Soulliard D, Novack L, Pencina M et al. (2010). "Iatrogenic gastric acid suppression and the risk of nosocomial Clostridium difficile infection.". Arch Intern Med 170 (9): 784-90. DOI:10.1001/archinternmed.2010.89. PMID 20458086. Research Blogging.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Cohen SH, Gerding DN, Johnson S, Kelly CP, Loo VG, McDonald LC et al. (2010). "Clinical practice guidelines for Clostridium difficile infection in adults: 2010 update by the society for healthcare epidemiology of America (SHEA) and the infectious diseases society of America (IDSA).". Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 31 (5): 431-55. DOI:10.1086/651706. PMID 20307191. Research Blogging.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Katz DA, Bates DW, Rittenberg E, et al (January 1997). "Predicting Clostridium difficile stool cytotoxin results in hospitalized patients with diarrhea". J Gen Intern Med 12 (1): 57–62. PMID 9034947. PMC 1497057. [e]
  14. ↑ Cooper GS, Lederman MM, Salata RA (January 1996). "A predictive model to identify Clostridium difficile toxin in hospitalized patients with diarrhea". Am. J. Gastroenterol. 91 (1): 80–4. PMID 8561149. [e]
  15. ↑ Peterson LR, Robicsek A (2009). "Does my patient have Clostridium difficile infection?". Ann Intern Med 151 (3): 176-9. PMID 19652187.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Peterson LR, Manson RU, Paule SM, et al (November 2007). "Detection of toxigenic Clostridium difficile in stool samples by real-time polymerase chain reaction for the diagnosis of C. difficile-associated diarrhea". Clin. Infect. Dis. 45 (9): 1152–60. DOI:10.1086/522185. PMID 17918076. Research Blogging.
  17. ↑ Seppala, K, Hjelt, L, Supponen, P. Colonoscopy in the diagnosis of antibiotic-associated colitis. Scand J Gastroenterol 1981; 16:465. PMID 7323683
  18. ↑ Marts BC, Longo WE, Vernava AM, Kennedy DJ, Daniel GL, Jones I (August 1994). "Patterns and prognosis of Clostridium difficile colitis". Dis. Colon Rectum 37 (8): 837–45. PMID 8055732. [e]
  19. ↑ Pupaibool J, Khantipong M, Suankratay C (January 2008). "A study of Clostridium difficile-associated disease at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thailand". J Med Assoc Thai 91 (1): 37–43. PMID 18386542. [e]
  20. ↑ Drekonja DM, Butler M, Macdonald R, Bliss D, Filice GA, Rector TS et al. (2011). "Comparative Effectiveness of Clostridium difficile Treatments: A Systematic Review.". Ann Intern Med 155 (12): 839-47. DOI:10.1059/0003-4819-155-12-201112200-00007. PMID 22184691. Research Blogging.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 Louie TJ, Miller MA, Mullane KM, Weiss K, Lentnek A, Golan Y et al. (2011). "Fidaxomicin versus vancomycin for Clostridium difficile infection.". N Engl J Med 364 (5): 422-31. DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa0910812. PMID 21288078. Research Blogging.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 Zar FA, Bakkanagari SR, Moorthi KM, Davis MB (2007). "A comparison of vancomycin and metronidazole for the treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, stratified by disease severity.". Clin Infect Dis 45 (3): 302-7. DOI:10.1086/519265. PMID 17599306. Research Blogging.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 Nelson R (2007). "Antibiotic treatment for Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea in adults". Cochrane Database Syst Rev (3): CD004610. DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD004610.pub3. PMID 17636768. Research Blogging.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Wenisch C, Parschalk B, Hasenhündl M, Hirschl AM, Graninger W (May 1996). "Comparison of vancomycin, teicoplanin, metronidazole, and fusidic acid for the treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea". Clin. Infect. Dis. 22 (5): 813–8. PMID 8722937. [e]
  25. ↑ Musher DM, Logan N, Bressler AM, Johnson DP, Rossignol JF (January 2009). "Nitazoxanide versus Vancomycin in Clostridium difficile Infection: A Randomized, Double-Blind Study". Clin. Infect. Dis.. DOI:10.1086/596552. PMID 19133801. Research Blogging.
  26. ↑ Zar FA, Bakkanagari SR, Moorthi KM, Davis MB. A comparison of vancomycin and metronidazole for the treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, stratified by disease severity. Clin Infect Dis. 2007 Aug 1;45(3):302-7. PMID 17599306
  27. ↑ Herpers BL, Vlaminckx B, Burkhardt O, et al. (June 2009). "Intravenous tigecycline as adjunctive or alternative therapy for severe refractory Clostridium difficile infection". Clin. Infect. Dis. 48 (12): 1732–5. DOI:10.1086/599224. PMID 19435431. Research Blogging.
  28. ↑ Pillai A, Nelson R (2008). "Probiotics for treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated colitis in adults". Cochrane Database Syst Rev (1): CD004611. DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD004611.pub2. PMID 18254055. Research Blogging.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 Muñoz P, Bouza E, Cuenca-Estrella M, et al (June 2005). "Saccharomyces cerevisiae fungemia: an emerging infectious disease". Clin. Infect. Dis. 40 (11): 1625–34. DOI:10.1086/429916. PMID 15889360. Research Blogging.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 Schwan A, Sjölin S, Trottestam U, Aronsson B (1983). "Relapsing clostridium difficile enterocolitis cured by rectal infusion of homologous faeces.". Lancet 2 (8354): 845. PMID 6137662. [e]
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Nieuwdorp M, van Nood E, Speelman P, et al (August 2008). "[Treatment of recurrent Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea with a suspension of donor faeces]" (in Dutch; Flemish). Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 152 (35): 1927–32. PMID 18808083. [e]
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Mattila E, Uusitalo-Seppälä R, Wuorela M, Lehtola L, Nurmi H, Ristikankare M et al. (2012). "Fecal transplantation, through colonoscopy, is effective therapy for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection.". Gastroenterology 142 (3): 490-6. DOI:10.1053/j.gastro.2011.11.037. PMID 22155369. Research Blogging.
  33. ↑ Lowy I, Molrine DC, Leav BA, Blair BM, Baxter R, Gerding DN et al. (2010). "Treatment with monoclonal antibodies against Clostridium difficile toxins.". N Engl J Med 362 (3): 197-205. DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa0907635. PMID 20089970. Research Blogging.
  34. ↑ Kamboj M, Khosa P, Kaltsas A, Babady NE, Son C, Sepkowitz KA (2011). "Relapse versus reinfection: surveillance of Clostridium difficile infection.". Clin Infect Dis 53 (10): 1003-6. DOI:10.1093/cid/cir643. PMID 21976462. Research Blogging.
  35. ↑ Hu MY, Katchar K, Kyne L, et al (December 2008). "Prospective Derivation and Validation of a Clinical Prediction Rule for Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection". Gastroenterology. DOI:10.1053/j.gastro.2008.12.038. PMID 19162027. Research Blogging.
  36. ↑ Garey KW, Sethi S, Yadav Y, DuPont HL (December 2008). "Meta-analysis to assess risk factors for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection". J. Hosp. Infect. 70 (4): 298–304. DOI:10.1016/j.jhin.2008.08.012. PMID 18951661. Research Blogging.
  37. ↑ Shim JK, Johnson S, Samore MH, Bliss DZ, Gerding DN (February 1998). "Primary symptomless colonisation by Clostridium difficile and decreased risk of subsequent diarrhoea". Lancet 351 (9103): 633–6. DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(97)08062-8. PMID 9500319. Research Blogging.
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 38.3 38.4 38.5 38.6 38.7 38.8 McFarland LV, Elmer GW, Surawicz CM (July 2002). "Breaking the cycle: treatment strategies for 163 cases of recurrent Clostridium difficile disease". Am. J. Gastroenterol. 97 (7): 1769–75. DOI:10.1016/S0002-9270(02)04195-3. PMID 12135033. Research Blogging.
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 39.2 Pépin J, Routhier S, Gagnon S, Brazeau I (March 2006). "Management and outcomes of a first recurrence of Clostridium difficile-associated disease in Quebec, Canada". Clin. Infect. Dis. 42 (6): 758–64. DOI:10.1086/501126. PMID 16477549. Research Blogging.
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 Tedesco FJ, Gordon D, Fortson WC (November 1985). "Approach to patients with multiple relapses of antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis". Am. J. Gastroenterol. 80 (11): 867–8. PMID 4050760. [e]
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 Mattila E, Anttila VJ, Broas M, et al (2008). "A randomized, double-blind study comparing Clostridium difficile immune whey and metronidazole for recurrent Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea: efficacy and safety data of a prematurely interrupted trial". Scand. J. Infect. Dis. 40 (9): 702–8. PMID 19086244. [e]
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 Johnson S, Schriever C, Galang M, Kelly CP, Gerding DN (March 2007). "Interruption of recurrent Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea episodes by serial therapy with vancomycin and rifaximin". Clin. Infect. Dis. 44 (6): 846–8. DOI:10.1086/511870. PMID 17304459. Research Blogging.
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 Surawicz CM (July 2008). "Role of probiotics in antibiotic-associated diarrhea, Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, and recurrent Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea". J. Clin. Gastroenterol. 42 Suppl 2: S64–70. DOI:10.1097/MCG.0b013e3181646d09. PMID 18545161. Research Blogging.
  44. ↑ Johnston BC, Ma SS, Goldenberg JZ, Thorlund K, Vandvik PO, Loeb M et al. (2012). "Probiotics for the prevention of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis.". Ann Intern Med 157 (12): 878-88. PMID 23362517. [e] Review in: Ann Intern Med. 2013 May 21;158(10):JC10
  45. ↑ McFarland LV (April 2006). "Meta-analysis of probiotics for the prevention of antibiotic associated diarrhea and the treatment of Clostridium difficile disease". Am. J. Gastroenterol. 101 (4): 812–22. DOI:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2006.00465.x. PMID 16635227. Research Blogging.
  46. ↑ Allen SJ et al. Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and Clostridium difficile diarrhoea in older inpatients (PLACIDE): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial. The Lancet 08 August 2013 DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(13)61218-0
  47. ↑ Pépin J, Valiquette L, Alary ME, Villemure P, Pelletier A, Forget K et al. (2004). "Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea in a region of Quebec from 1991 to 2003: a changing pattern of disease severity.". CMAJ 171 (5): 466-72. DOI:10.1503/cmaj.1041104. PMID 15337727. PMC PMC514643. Research Blogging.
  48. ↑ Barreto AR et al (2008). "Fucoidin Prevents Clostridium difficile Toxin-A-Induced Ileal Enteritis in Mice". Dig. Dis. Sci. 53(4): 990-6. PMID 17805968. [e]
  49. ↑ Gerber M, Ackermann G (2008). "OPT-80, a macrocyclic antimicrobial agent for the treatment of Clostridium difficile infections: a review". Expert. Opin. Investig. Drugs 17(4): 547–53. PMID 18363518. [e]
  50. ↑ Sorg JA, Sonenshein AL (2008). "Bile salts and glycine as cogerminants for Clostridium difficile spores". J Bacteriol 190(7): 2505-12. PMID 18245298. [e]

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