Severe Clostridioides difficile Infection in the Intensive Care Unit-Medical and Surgical Management

Abstract

Clostridioides difficile remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the intensive care unit, and therefore, C difficile guidelines are frequently being updated. Currently, fidaxomicin is the suggested treatment of initial and recurrent infection. Oral vancomycin is an acceptable alternative, followed by rifaximin and fecal microbiota transplantation. Bezlotoxumab is suggested in recurrent cases within 6 months. If patients fail to improve within 3 to 5 days of therapy, especially in patients who have had nasogastric tubes or emergent surgery, fulminant colitis is possible and surgical consultation should be considered for total colectomy.

Keywords: Clostridioides difficile; Colitis; Intensive care unit; Sepsis.