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Clostridium difficile colitis--diagnosis and therapy

T W Lapiński¹, D Prokopowicz, A Dare

¹Department of Infectious Diseases, Medical Academy of Białystok.

Roczniki Akademii Medycznej W Bialymstoku (1995)

|January 1, 1996

Summary

Clostridium difficile infection, often caused by antibiotic use, leads to severe diarrhea and abdominal pain. New diagnostic tests offer quick detection, but antibiotic resistance complicates treatment options.

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Area of Science:

Microbiology
Infectious Diseases

Background:

Clostridium difficile is a Gram-positive bacterium producing potent exotoxins A and B.
Infections typically occur post-antibiotic therapy, leading to uncontrolled bacterial growth in the colon.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the clinical findings, diagnostic methods, and therapeutic challenges associated with Clostridium difficile infection.

Main Methods:

Literature review of diagnostic techniques for Clostridium difficile.
Analysis of clinical manifestations and treatment limitations.

Main Results:

Typical symptoms include bloody diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, and weight loss.
Modern diagnostic tests (latex-agglutination, EIAs, fluorescence-immunoenzymatic) allow rapid antigen/toxin detection.
Poor susceptibility of C. difficile strains to antibiotics complicates effective therapy selection.

Conclusions:

Prompt diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection is crucial for patient management.
Antibiotic resistance in C. difficile poses a significant challenge for effective treatment strategies.

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