Intest Res.  2013 Jan;11(1):1-13. 10.5217/ir.2013.11.1.1.

Clostridium difficile Infection: What's New?

• Seo GS

• KMID: 2054655
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5217/ir.2013.11.1.1

Abstract

Since 2000, Clostridium difficile infection has increased substantially in both hospital-acquired and community-acquired diarrhea, not only in North America but also in Europe. There was a steady increase in the incidence and severity of C. difficile infection over the past decade, associated with significantly higher morbidity and mortality. The major risk factors for C. difficile infection appear to be the use of new antimicrobial therapy, long-term hospitalization in old age and emerging hypervirulent strains, such as various ribotypes. Rapid and accurate diagnosis of C. difficile infection is necessary for appropriate treatment as well as reliable epidemiological data. Currently available treatment options are withdrawal of the suspected offending antibiotics and then treating patients with highly effective antibiotics for C. difficile. Multiple recurrence or acute fulminant C. difficile infection could be treated with fecal microbiota transplantation. Promising therapies for treating C. difficile infection should always be equipped with high efficacy and safety in the future.

Keyword

Clostridium difficile; Infection; Diarrhea

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Clostridium
Clostridium difficile
Diarrhea
Europe
Hospitalization
Humans
Incidence
Metagenome
North America
Recurrence
Ribotyping
Risk Factors
Transplants
Anti-Bacterial Agents