Clostridium difficile infection characteristics in a general surgery clinic.

ABSTRACT

Clostridium difficile (CD) is an anaerobic, gram-positive bacterium that can produce a spectrum of gastrointestinal diseases ranging from pseudomembranous colitis to diarrhea to toxic megacolon. The infection is even more difficult to manage as CD produces high-end spores, suggesting that this may be the cause of the dangerous recurrent disease as well as dissemination among healthy members in the community. Spores can be hosted in the digestive tract of both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. The most relevant risk factor in the development of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) seems to be the overuse of antimicrobials. Comorbidities are another risk factor that may predispose towards more serious CDI. Treatment options vary from oral antibiotics to extensive surgical interventions. The present study aimed to analyze the prevalence, severity, and management of CDIs in a general surgery department in an effort to determine the correlative elements between the infection and surgical pathology.