title: Clostridium difficile infection: a worldwide disease.
abstract: Clostridium difficile, an anaerobic toxigenic bacterium, causes a severe infectious colitis that leads to significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Both enhanced bacterial toxins and diminished host immune response contribute to symptomatic disease. C. difficile has been a well-established pathogen in North America and Europe for decades, but is just emerging in Asia. This article reviews the epidemiology, microbiology, pathophysiology, and clinical management of C. difficile. Prompt recognition of C. difficile is necessary to implement appropriate infection control practices.
authors: Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
authors: Kristin E
authors: KE
authors: Burke
authors: Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
authors: J Thomas
authors: JT
authors: Lamont
mesh_terms: D001208:Asia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016360:Clostridioides difficile / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D003015:Clostridium Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D009656:North America / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Asia; Clostridium difficile; Epidemiology; Review