Clostridium Difficile Colitis
(Antibiotic-Associated Colitis, C. difficile colitis)
Medical Author:
Dennis Lee, M.D.
Medical Editor:
Jay Marks, M.D.
What is Clostridium difficile colitis (C. difficile)?
Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a bacterium that is related to the
bacterium that cause tetanus and botulism. The
C. difficile bacterium has two
forms, an active, infectious form that cannot survive in the environment for
prolonged periods, and a nonactive, “noninfectious” form, called a spore, that
can survive in the environment for prolonged periods. Although spores cannot
cause infection directly, when they are ingested they transform into the active,
infectious form.
C. difficile spores are found frequently in hospitals, nursing homes, extended
care facilities, and nurseries for newborn infants. They can be found on
bedpans, furniture, toilet seats, linens, telephones, stethoscopes, fingernails,
rings, floors, infants' rooms, and diaper pails. They even can be carried by
pets. Thus, these environments are a ready source for infection with C.
difficile.
What is Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) colitis?
Antibiotic-associated (C. difficile) colitis is an infection of the colon caused
by C. difficile that occurs primarily among individuals who have been using
antibiotics. It is the most common infection acquired by patients while they are
in the hospital. More than three million C. difficile infections occur in
hospitals in the US each year. After a stay of only two days in a hospital, 10%
of patients will develop infection with C. difficile. C. difficile also may be
acquired outside of hospitals in the community. It is estimated that 20,000
infections with C. difficile occur in the community each year in the U.S.
Next: How does Clostridium difficile cause colitis? »
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Last Editorial Review: 6/22/2006