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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
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A Protocol to Characterize the Morphological Changes of Clostridium difficile in Response to Antibiotic Treatment
Published on: May 25, 2017
Spectrum of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea
Gut
|January 1, 1981
Summary
Clostridium difficile toxin is present in some antibiotic-associated diarrhea cases. However, toxin levels alone do not solely determine the severity of this condition.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) is a common complication of antibiotic therapy.
- Clostridium difficile is a known pathogen implicated in AAD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Clostridium difficile toxin in patients with antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
- To investigate the correlation between toxin levels and the severity of antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
Main Methods:
- Stool samples from 53 patients with AAD were tested for C. difficile toxin.
- Control groups included patients without diarrhea after antibiotics, with inflammatory bowel disease, and healthy individuals.
Main Results:
- C. difficile toxin was detected in 19% of patients with AAD.
- The toxin was also found in 7.5% of patients without diarrhea after antibiotic use.
- Toxin titers were similar in patients with and without diarrhea; neither organism nor toxin was found in control groups.
Conclusions:
- Clostridium difficile is a contributing factor in a subset of antibiotic-associated diarrhea cases.
- Toxin concentration is not the only determinant of antibiotic-associated diarrhea severity.
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