Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile

Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infection is still a threat to many healthcare settings worldwide. Clostridioides difficile epidemiology has changed over the last 20 years, largely due to the emergence of hypervirulent and antimicrobial-resistant C. difficile strains. The excessive use of an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Saudi medical journal 2023-09, Vol.44 (9), p.825-835
Main Author: Al-Zahrani, Ibrahim A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antibiotics
Antimicrobial agents
Biofilms
Biosynthesis
Diarrhea
Disinfection & disinfectants
DNA methylation
Drug resistance
Epidemiology
Inflammatory bowel disease
Medical diagnosis
Metabolism
Microbiota
Mutation
Nosocomial infections
Penicillin
Proteins
RNA polymerase
Staphylococcus infections
Virulence
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Summary:Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infection is still a threat to many healthcare settings worldwide. Clostridioides difficile epidemiology has changed over the last 20 years, largely due to the emergence of hypervirulent and antimicrobial-resistant C. difficile strains. The excessive use of antimicrobials, the absence of optimal antibiotic policies, and suboptimal infection control practices have fueled the development of this pressing health issue. The prudent use of antimicrobials, particularly broad-spectrum agents, and simple infection control measures, such as hand hygiene, can significantly reduce C. difficile infection rates. Moreover, the early detection of these infections and understanding their epidemiological behavior using accurate laboratory methods are the cornerstone to decreasing the incidence of C. difficile infection and preventing further spread. Although there is no consensus on the single best laboratory method for the diagnosis of C. difficile infection, the use of 2 or more techniques can improve diagnostic accuracy, and it is recommended.
ISSN:0379-5284
1658-3175
DOI:10.15537/smj.2023.44.9.20230216