What is C diff?

What is C diff?

What is C. diff? C. diff is a spore-forming, Gram-positive anaerobic bacillus that produces two exotoxins: toxin A and toxin B. It is a common cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) and accounts for 15 to 25% of all episodes of AAD.

What is a rapid test for C diff?

Antigen detection for C. diff: These are rapid tests (<1 hour) that detect the presence of C. diff antigen.

Which strain type predicts outcomes from Clostridium difficile (C diff) infection?

NAP1 strain type predicts outcomes from Clostridium difficile infection. See I, Mu Y, Cohen J, Beldavs ZG, Winston LG, Dumyati G, Holzbauer S, Dunn J, Farley MM, Lyons C, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2014 May; 58(10):1394-400. Epub 2014 Mar 5.

How is C diff spread in hospitals?

Any surface, device, or material (such as commodes, bathtubs, and electronic rectal thermometers) that becomes contaminated with feces could serve as a reservoir for the C. diff spores. C. diff spores can also be transferred to patients via the hands of healthcare personnel who have touched a contaminated surface or item. How is CDI treated?

What is the difference between colonized and colonized patients with C diff?

Colonized patients do not have disease caused by C. diff and often exhibit NO clinical symptoms (asymptomatic) of infection (e.g., diarrhea); colonized patients do test positive for the C. diff organism or its toxin. Patients with infection exhibit clinical symptoms and test positive for the C. diff organism or its toxin.

What is the role of PCR in the diagnosis of C diff?

While it served as a historical gold standard for diagnosing clinically significant disease caused by C. diff, it is recognized as less sensitive than PCR or toxigenic culture for detecting the organism in patients with diarrhea.

What is Clostridioides difficile?

Clostridioides difficile [klos–TRID–e–OY-dees dif–uh–SEEL] is formerly known as Clostridium difficile and often called C. difficile or C. diff. C. diff is a bacterium (germ) that causes diarrhea and colitis (an inflammation of the colon). Most cases of C. diff occur while you’re taking antibiotics or soon after you’ve finished taking antibiotics.