What is C. Difficile Colitis?
C. Difficile Colitis is an infection of the colon caused by the bacterium Clostridioides difficile. It's characterized by inflammation of the colon and can range from mild to life-threatening conditions.
What Causes C. Difficile Colitis?
The primary cause of C. Difficile Colitis is the disruption of normal intestinal flora, often due to antibiotic use. This allows C. difficile bacteria to overgrow and release toxins that damage the intestinal lining and cause inflammation.
What are the Symptoms of C. Difficile Colitis?
Symptoms include:
- Watery diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea.
In severe cases, it can lead to dehydration, kidney failure, and increased white blood cell count. Complications may include toxic megacolon and sepsis.
How is C. Difficile Colitis Diagnosed?
Diagnosis is based on symptoms and stool tests that detect C. difficile toxins or the bacterial strain. In some cases, colon exams like sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy and imaging tests may be used to confirm the diagnosis.
How is C. Difficile Colitis Treated?
Treatment involves stopping the antibiotic that triggered the infection, if possible, and starting specific antibiotics such as vancomycin or fidaxomicin. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the affected part of the colon.
