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Review
. 2010 Sep;340(3):247-52.
doi: 10.1097/MAJ.0b013e3181e939d8.

Clostridium difficile infection

Latisha Heinlen  1 , Jimmy D Ballard
Affiliations
Review

Clostridium difficile infection

Latisha Heinlen et al. Am J Med Sci. 2010 Sep.

Abstract

Clostridium difficile is the leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea in Europe and North America and is a serious reemerging pathogen. Recent outbreaks have led to increasing morbidity and mortality and have been associated with a new strain (BI/NAP1/027) of C difficile that produces more toxin than historic strains. With the increasing incidence of C difficile infection, clinicians have also seen a change in the epidemiology with increased infections in previously low-risk populations. This chapter highlights the current knowledge on C difficile virulence, human disease, epidemic outbreaks and optimal treatment strategies.

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