Clostridium Difficile Infection CDI

Original Editors - John Hardy from Bellarmine University's Pathophysiology of Complex Patient Problems project.

Top Contributors - John Hardy, Lucinda hampton, Reem Ramadan, Elaine Lonnemann, WikiSysop, 127.0.0.1, Oyemi Sillo, Kim Jackson, Vidya Acharya and Nupur Smit Shah  

Introduction

Clostridium difficile

Clostridium difficile is a type of bacteria that can cause colitis, a serious inflammation of the colon. Infections from C. diff often start after taking antibiotics. It can sometimes be life-threatening.

• Clostridium difficile is an anerobic, gram-positive bacillus. This rode shaped bacterium exists in vegetative or spore form and can survive harsh environments and common sterilization techniques. Clostridium difficile is resistant to ultra-violent light, high temperatures, and antibiotics.

Epidemiology

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has become a serious medical and epidemiological problem, especially in well developed countries. There has been evident increase in incidence and severity of CDI. Prevention, proper diagnosis and effective treatment are necessary to reduce the risk for the patients, deplete the spreading of infection and diminish the probability of recurrent infection. Antibiotics are the fundamental treatment of CDI

In 2015, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that C. difficile caused half a million infections and resulted in 15,000 deaths in a single year.

Etiology

Hand hygeine

C. diff exists all around us, being in the air, water, soil, and in the feces of humans and animals. C. diff bacteria that are outside the body turn into spores that can live on surfaces for weeks or months. These spores are dormant but they can become active after ingestion, getting into the intestines. C. difficile also naturally occurs in the gut. When the bacterium is present at normal levels, it is not considered to be an infection.

This bacterium does not usually cause problems for people who are otherwise healthy. However, some antibiotics may alter the balance of bacteria in the gut, allowing C. difficile to multiply. It is at this stage that it becomes an infection. The infection can cause diarrhea and increase the risk of more serious illnesses.

Most cases of C. difficile infection occur in healthcare environments, the link here being with antibiotic therapy.

Risk Factors

C. diff can affect anyone, however cases of C. diff occur when taking antibiotics or not long after finishing taking antibiotics.

Other risk factorsinclude :

• Being 65 or older
• Recent stay at a hospital or nursing home
• A weakened immune system, eg people with HIV/AIDS, cancer, or organ transplant patients taking immunosuppressive drugs
• Previous infection with C. diff or known exposure to the germs
    

Characteristics/Clinical Presentation

Symptoms may develop within a few days after taking antibiotics, and include:

• Severe diarrhea
• Fever
• Stomach tenderness or pain
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea

In a more serious case symptoms peritonitis, septicemia, or perforation of the colon may occur. The risk of experiencing a life threatening condition is higher among older people and those with serious health conditions. Symptoms include:

• Diarrhea more than 10 times a day
• Severe cramping
• Fever
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite/weight loss
• Dehydration
• Rapid heart rate

Diagnosis

For definitive diagnosis a stool sample must be collected. Tests include:

• Enzyme immunoassay
• Polymerase chain reaction
• GDH/EIA
• Cell cytotoxicity assay

If a serious problems with the colon is suspected, an X-rays or a CT scan of the intestines may be ordered. In rare cases, the doctor may examine the colon with procedures such as a flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy.

Medical Management

Standard treatment for a C. difficile infection is antibiotics. If a person is taking antibiotics when symptoms appear, a doctor may consider stopping that course and prescribing a new type. However, treatment with antibiotics may make a C. difficile infection worse by attacking the helpful bacteria in the body.

Alternative therapies include:

• Probiotics: used to help restore a healthful balance in the intestine. Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii), a natural yeast, can reduce recurring C. difficile infections when a person takes it together with antibiotics. S. boulardii probiotics are available for purchase online.
• Surgery: If symptoms are severe, or if there is organ failure or perforation of the lining of the abdominal wall, it may be necessary to surgically remove the affected part of the colon.
• Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT): Medical professionals are now using fecal transplants in recurrent cases of C. difficile infection. A healthcare provider will transfer bacteria from a healthy person’s colon into the colon of a person with C. difficile.

Physical Therapy Management

C. difficile infections are primarily managed through pharmaceutical therapy and associated medical treatments.

The therapist should take an active role in infection control and prevention measures whenever working with these patients. Infection control measures include: donning gloves and gowns prior to entering patients room, washing hands with soap and water upon departure, treating patients in a private room, educating visitors on proper hygiene measures. Routine environmental screening and use of chlorine-containing cleaning agents is also recommended.