title: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and management of Clostridium difficile infection.
abstract: Clostridium difficile infection is an important health problem worldwide and leads to increased morbidity and mortality, particularly among the elderly population. Antibiotics, especially those with a broad spectrum, often trigger the infection; hence the use of unnecessary antibiotics should be avoided. Mild to moderate cases respond to metronidazole or vancomycin. Severe cases may require bowel resection. Chronic relapsing cases require a prolonged course of antibiotics, immunoglobulin, probiotics, and, occasionally, feces enema. This review provides a comprehensive update on pathogenesis and management of Clostridium difficile infection for health professionals all over the world.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, The Royal London Hospital, London, UK. dr_durai@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Rajaraman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Durai
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016360:Clostridioides difficile / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004733:Enema / Q000379:methods*; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D009017:Morbidity / Q000639:trends; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015996:Survival Rate / Q000639:trends
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents