Clostridium difficile colitis--diagnosis and therapy

Abstract

Clostridium difficile is a Gram-positive bacillus which had been identified as the source of potent exotoxins: toxin A and toxin B. C. difficile infection usually follows antibiotic therapy and results from unrestrained growth of pathogenic strains of C. difficile in the colon. Typical clinical findings include: diarrhoea with blood and mucus, fever, abdominal pain, nausea, loss of body weight. In the past the diagnosis was based on positive result of stool culture but now several tests are available: latex-agglutination test, enzyme immunoassays and fluorescence-immunoenzymatic tests. Diagnostic methods enable quick and safe detection of C. difficile antigens or toxins and proper management. Poor susceptibility of C. difficile strains to common antibiotics hinders choosing the effective therapy.