The management of Clostridium difficile infection.
BACKGROUND
Clostridium difficile is the commonest cause of nosocomial diarrhoea. The epidemiology and clinical phenotype of the disease has dramatically changed with the global emergence of a virulent strain of C. difficile.


METHODS
This review was compiled using data from individual studies and review articles identified from PubMed. The retrieved articles were also examined for additional references.


RESULTS
Appropriate and timely infection control measures are required to control C. difficile infection (CDI) in the hospital environment, and either oral metronidazole or vancomycin remains the mainstay of treatment depending on the severity of infection.


RESULTS
The optimal method for diagnosing CDI remains unclear, as does the best therapeutic strategy for the management of multiple relapses. GROWING POINTS/AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH: Studies of new antimicrobial agents with activity against C. difficile are required to improve the management of multiply relapsing disease. The use of novel therapeutic approaches that do not require antimicrobials requires urgent research, including the use of immunological or vaccine-based regimen, bacteriotherapy or C. difficile-specific bacteriophages.
Williams
O Martin
OM
Health Protection Agency Regional Laboratory South West, Level 8, Queens Building, Bristol Royal Infirmary Marlborough Street, Bristol BS2 8HW, UK.
Spencer
Robert C
RC
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002353:Carrier State / Q000628:therapy; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents