What is it?

Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) is a bacteria that causes an infection of the large intestine leading to diarrhoea and colitis (an inflammation of the colon).

Illness from C. diff is often associated with antibiotic use. Most commonly, C. diff affects older people in hospitals and long-term aged care facilities.

Following antimicrobial treatment, toxin-producing strains of C. diff multiply and cause illness. 

C. diff is a common cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea.

Risk factors include

Older patients over 60 years

The presence of underlying disease

Non-surgical gastrointestinal procedures

Presence of a nasogastric tube

Medications that reduce stomach acid

Prolonged hospital stays

Exposure to prolonged antibiotic courses, as well as the administration of multiple antibiotics or courses

What are the symptoms?

Depending on the severity of te C. diff, mild to severe symptoms are experienced. 

Mild symptoms can include

Several days of watery diarrhea

Pain, cramps, or tenderness in the stomach

Blood or pus may be found in the stool during more severe infections 

Other severe symptoms include

Diarrhoea more than 10 times a day

Painful cramps

Fever

Nausea

Appetite loss / weight loss

Dehydration

Rapid heart rate

Transmission

C. diff spores are transferred to residents mainly via the hands of healthcare personnel who have touched a contaminated surface or item.

C. diff is transmitted in faeces. Any surface, device, or material (e.g., commodes, bathing tubs, and electronic rectal thermometers) that becomes contaminated with faeces may serve as a reservoir for C. diff spores.

Diagnosis

In the event that C. diff infection is suspected, the Doctor will order a stool sample for laboratory testing. In these tests, toxin-producing bacteria or strains of bacteria are identified.