Clostridium Difficile comes from the genus clostridium and forms gram positive rods that form anaerobic spores. Clostridium difficile (C. Diff) is better known as the etiological agent causing a condition called “Enterocolitis” (pseudomembranous enterocolitis) which is caused by a bacterium that inflames the colon. Pseudomembranous enterocolitis is an acute case of inflammation with a plaque like adhesion of necrotic debris and mucous adhered to the damaged superficial mucosa of the intestine. 350,000 people in the United States are hospitalized per year with Clostridium Difficile infections, 77% of these people are over age 55.
Etiology
A patient who is on antibiotics or who has taken a course of antibiotics in the 6 week period prior to experiencing symptoms or within 72 hours of hospitalization may have clostridium difficile. In those who carry c. diff., the use of antibiotics reduces the normal flora allowing the c diff to colonize and develop into a bacterial infection. This organism produces toxins, A an enterotoxin causing diarrhea, and B a cytotoxin, that causes the bowel wall to become inflamed, ulcerated and necrotic. Clostridium Difficile is found mainly in the soil, however, spores reside in feces and patients are infected by hand to mouth or mucous membrane contact. The bacterium is hard to eradicate as bleach is the only thing that kills it. Hand sanitizers do not completely kill the bacterium and hand washing seems to be …show more content…
Diff, enterocolitis, begins with watery diarrhea which is mild to severe greenish in color and foul-smelling. The patient may have up to thirty bowel movements per day. Symptoms also may include leukocytosis, fever, weakness, abdominal cramping, tenderness, anorexia, nausea and vomiting. Because of these symptoms, a patient might become dehydrated, light-headed and dizzy. Blood and mucous may be present in stools and the patient may experience anal irritation.
Diagnostic
Etiology
A patient who is on antibiotics or who has taken a course of antibiotics in the 6 week period prior to experiencing symptoms or within 72 hours of hospitalization may have clostridium difficile. In those who carry c. diff., the use of antibiotics reduces the normal flora allowing the c diff to colonize and develop into a bacterial infection. This organism produces toxins, A an enterotoxin causing diarrhea, and B a cytotoxin, that causes the bowel wall to become inflamed, ulcerated and necrotic. Clostridium Difficile is found mainly in the soil, however, spores reside in feces and patients are infected by hand to mouth or mucous membrane contact. The bacterium is hard to eradicate as bleach is the only thing that kills it. Hand sanitizers do not completely kill the bacterium and hand washing seems to be …show more content…
Diff, enterocolitis, begins with watery diarrhea which is mild to severe greenish in color and foul-smelling. The patient may have up to thirty bowel movements per day. Symptoms also may include leukocytosis, fever, weakness, abdominal cramping, tenderness, anorexia, nausea and vomiting. Because of these symptoms, a patient might become dehydrated, light-headed and dizzy. Blood and mucous may be present in stools and the patient may experience anal irritation.
Diagnostic