Clostridium difficile infection: An overview of the disease and its pathogenesis, epidemiology and interventions

Gut Microbes. 2010 Jul;1(4):234-242. doi: 10.4161/gmic.1.4.12706. Epub 2010 Jun 16.

Abstract

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the primary cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and is a significant nosocomial disease. In the past ten years, variant toxin-producing strains of C. difficile have emerged, that have been associated with severe disease as well as outbreaks worldwide. This review summarizes current information on C. difficile pathogenesis and disease, and highlights interventions used to combat single and recurrent episodes of CDI.