Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 6, 2026

Culturing and Maintaining Clostridium difficile in an Anaerobic Environment
Published on: September 14, 2013
Management of Clostridioides difficile Infection
Christina Clarkin1, Stephanie Quist1, Renata Shamis1
1Christina Clarkin, Stephanie Quist, and Renata Shamis were PharmD candidates at Jefferson College of Pharmacy, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the time of writing and submitting this article. Amber E. King is an associate professor of pharmacy practice and a clinical pharmacist in the neurosurgical intensive care unit at Jefferson College of Pharmacy, Thomas Jefferson University. Bhavik M. Shah is an associate professor of pharmacy practice at Jefferson College of Pharmacy, Thomas Jefferson University, and an inpatient clinical pharmacist for internal medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
Clinical Relevance:
Clostridioides (formerly Clostridium) difficile infection is among the most identified causes of health care-associated infections in US hospitals and remains a major public health problem. The incidence and severity of C difficile infection are high among critically ill patients. Treating critically ill patients is challenging; treatment failure is especially common because of comorbidities and the continued need for antibiotic therapy for other infections. Because of the high risk of C difficile infection recurrence and high mortality rate associated with the disease, intensive research has taken place over the last decade to improve patient outcomes. This research has resulted in new drugs indicated for C difficile infection and new information on existing drugs. The 2010 clinical practice guidelines for C difficile infections have been updated on the basis of this new information.
Purpose Of Paper:
To review the 2017 update of the clinical practice guidelines from the Society for Health-care Epidemiology of America and the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
Content Covered:
The updated recommendations for the treatment of C difficile infection, the clinical pharmacology of old and new drugs for treating the infection, and the role of critical care nurses in mini-mizing the risk of C difficile infection for their patients.
Related Concept Videos
Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS
Two specific drugs used in the treatment are alosetron (Lotronex) and eluxadoline (Viberzi). Alosetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, works by slowing the movement of stools in the gut, reducing bowel...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management
Pharmacologic...
Peptic Ulcer Disease IV: Management
The therapeutic approach involves ensuring adequate rest, implementing drug therapy, promoting smoking cessation, making dietary modifications, and emphasizing long-term follow-up care.
Pharmacological management
The prevailing therapy for peptic ulcers involves a combination of managing the patient's current...
Urinary Tract Infection IV: Nursing Management
Cystic Fibrosis: Management
Sinus disease and chronic...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome III: Medical and Nursing Management

