title: Clostridium difficile infection: a comprehensive review.
abstract: Clostridium difficile is one of the most important causes of healthcare acquired diarrhea. The disease spectrum caused by C. difficile infection ranges from mild, self-limited, illness to a severe, life-threatening colitis. The incidence of C. difficile associated disease has risen dramatically over the last decade, leading to increased research interest aiming at the discovery of new virulence factors and the development of new treatment and prevention regimens. This review summarizes the pathogenesis and changing epidemiology of C. difficile associated disease, the clinical spectrum and laboratory methods to diagnose C. difficile infection, and current treatment strategies.
authors: Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Oxford University, John Radcliffe Hospital Oxford, UK, OX3 9DU. mkachrim@gmail.com
authors: Melina
authors: M
authors: Kachrimanidou
authors: Nikolaos
authors: N
authors: Malisiovas