A Review of Clostridioides difficile Infection and Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea

Cybéle Lara R Abad; Nasia Safdar

doi:10.1016/j.gtc.2021.02.010

A Review of Clostridioides difficile Infection and Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea

Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2021 Jun;50(2):323-340. doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2021.02.010.

Authors

Cybéle Lara R Abad¹, Nasia Safdar²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, University of the Philippines-Manila, UP-Philippine General Hospital, Philippines.
² Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA. Electronic address: ns2@medicine.wisc.edu.

PMID: 34024444
DOI: 10.1016/j.gtc.2021.02.010

Abstract

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea and Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) occur frequently among adults. The pathophysiology of CDI is related to disruption of normal gut flora and risk factors include hospitalization, use of antibiotic therapy, and older age. Clinical manifestations can range from mild disease to toxic megacolon. Diagnosis is challenging and is based on a combination of clinical symptoms and diagnostic tests. Therapy includes cessation of antibiotics, or use of other agents depending on the severity of illness. Many novel agents for the treatment and prevention of CDI show promise and are under investigation.

Keywords: Antibiotic-associated diarrhea; C. difficile infection; Diagnosis; Prevention; Treatment.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects
Clostridioides
Clostridioides difficile*
Clostridium Infections* / diagnosis
Clostridium Infections* / drug therapy
Diarrhea / chemically induced
Diarrhea / drug therapy
Humans

Substances

Anti-Bacterial Agents