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Updated: May 7, 2026

A Protocol to Characterize the Morphological Changes of Clostridium difficile in Response to Antibiotic Treatment
Published on: May 25, 2017
Overview of severe Clostridium difficile infection
Stephen R Eaton1, John E Mazuski
1Section of Acute and Critical Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8109, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St Louis, MO 63110-1093, USA.
Abstract:
Clostridium difficile is an anaerobic, spore-forming, gram-positive bacillus that can produce severe colitis resulting in death. There has been an overall increase in the incidence of Clostridium difficile-associated disease and, particularly, an increase in the more virulent forms of the disease. Treatment of severe C difficile infection includes management of severe sepsis and shock, pathogen-directed antibiotic therapy, and, in selected cases, surgical intervention. Ultimately, prevention is the key to limiting the devastating effects of this microorganism.
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