What is the classification of C. diff?

The current guidelines separate C. difficile infection into 3 categories: non-severe, severe and fulminant. Non-severe infections are usually treated in the outpatient setting.

Can you be an asymptomatic carrier of C. diff?

Asymptomatic carriers were defined as those with a positive C. difficile toxin test, but no diarrhea [10, 11]. Contact precautions were utilized empirically for all patients who developed diarrhea until the final result of the C. difficile PCR test was available.

What does indeterminate C. diff mean?

There are several possible explanations for an indeterminate result: The patient has non-toxigenic C difficile, and the toxin test was a true negative. The patient is an asymptomatic carrier of toxigenic C difficile, and the toxin test was a true negative, but does not have active disease.

Can you have mild C. diff?

C. diff infections can range from mild to severe. In milder cases, patients may liken their symptoms to an infection within the stomach (also known as gastroenteritis). These symptoms may be mild and self-limiting, lasting anywhere from a couple of days to multiple weeks.

What is C diff infection?

The bacterium is often referred to as C. difficile or C. diff. Illness from C. difficile typically occurs after use of antibiotic medications. It most commonly affects older adults in hospitals or in long-term care facilities.

What is Clostridioides difficile?

Clostridioides difficile (klos-TRID-e-oi-deez dif-uh-SEEL) is a bacterium that causes an infection of the large intestine (colon). Symptoms can range from diarrhea to life-threatening damage to the colon.

Which disinfectants are used in the treatment of C diff infection?

Routine cleaning should be performed prior to disinfection. EPA-registered disinfectants with a sporicidal claim have been used with success for environmental surface disinfection in those patient-care areas where surveillance and epidemiology indicate ongoing transmission of C. diff.

Why is C diff so hard to kill?

This bacterium is everywhere in the environment, and produces spores that are hard to get rid of. C. difficile produces two main toxins – toxins A and B – that cause inflammation in the colon. The major risk factor for CDI is taking antibiotics in the previous several weeks, but sometimes it occurs even without prior antibiotic use.