Clostridium Difficile

Question 1

What is C. diff most commonly associated with?

Answer 1

Antibiotic or PPI use

Question 2

What is the treatment for mild c.diff?

Answer 2

Metronidazole

Question 3

What is the treatment for moderate c.diff?

Answer 3

Vancomycin

Question 4

What is the treatment for life-threatening c.diff?

Answer 4

Colectomy

Question 5

What are the symptoms?

Answer 5

Watery diarrhoea, fever, nausea, abdo pain

Question 6

Why is c.diff outbreak such a problem in hospital?

Answer 6

It can form spores which lie dormant, so an area seems sterile when it isn’t.
These spores can only be killed by very high temps (115C)

Question 7

What are some complications of c.diff?

Answer 7

Toxic megacolon
Pseudomembranous colitis
Colon perforation
Sepsis