Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Cefoperazone-treated Mouse Model of Clinically-relevant Clostridium difficile Strain R20291
06:51

Cefoperazone-treated Mouse Model of Clinically-relevant Clostridium difficile Strain R20291

Published on: December 10, 2016

[Clostridium-difficile-associated infections]

Catherine Eckert1, Frédéric Barbut

  • 1Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris VI, Faculté de médecine Saint-Antoine, 75571 Paris Cedex 12, France. catherine.eckert@sat.aphp.fr

Medecine Sciences : M/S
|March 2, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) cause mild to severe symptoms, with risk factors including age and hospitalization. Prevention involves minimizing antimicrobial exposure and limiting transmission.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Clostridium difficile is an anaerobic, spore-forming enteropathogen causing antibiotic-associated diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis.
  • Clostridium difficile associated-infections (CDI) present with a spectrum of illness, from mild diarrhea to life-threatening conditions like toxic megacolon and perforation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the clinical features, risk factors, and management of Clostridium difficile associated-infections (CDI).
  • To highlight the emergence of a hypervirulent Clostridium difficile strain (PCR-ribotype 027) and its impact.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of Clostridium difficile associated-infections (CDI).
  • Analysis of virulence factors, including toxins A, B, and binary toxin.
  • Identification of risk factors such as advanced age, hospitalization, and antibiotic use.

Main Results:

  • Clostridium difficile associated-infections (CDI) range from mild diarrhea to severe, fatal outcomes.
  • Key risk factors include age over 65, hospitalization, and recent antibiotic therapy.
  • A hypervirulent Clostridium difficile strain (PCR-ribotype 027) has emerged, causing severe outbreaks.

Conclusions:

  • Oral metronidazole and vancomycin are effective treatments for Clostridium difficile associated-infections (CDI).
  • Controlling CDI requires preventing its emergence by judicious antimicrobial use and implementing strict infection control measures to limit cross-transmission.

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