Clostridium difficile colitis

Clostridium difficile colitis

Infectious disease Colonic infection by C difficile Clinical Some are asymptomic and become C difficile carriers; more commonly, diarrhea, abdominal pain, colitis, fever, vomiting dehydration; if severe, pseudomembranous colitis, with possible perforation Diagnosis Stool—cytotoxicity assay is sensitive–≥ 94% and specific–≥ 99%, but expensive; ELISAs are more cost-effective but less sensitive Lab ↑ WBC Treatment Metronidazole–98% response rate, vancomycin–96%, bacitracin–83%, cholestyramine–68%. See Pseudomembranous colitis.