Impact of clinical awareness and diagnostic tests on the underdiagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection

There has been a recent surge of interest in Clostridium difficile infection, which reflects an impressive increase in the number and severity of these infections. This review addresses some of the newer methods for detection of C. difficile infection at the bedside and in the laboratory. Particularly important are the new rapid diagnostic tests that detect toxigenic C. difficile using polymerase chain reaction and the combination tests that, either simultaneously or sequentially, screen for C. difficile and test for toxins A and B. It is expected that these new testing methods will largely supplant the enzyme immunoassays for toxins, which are used by most laboratories, departments, and divisions. The present goal is to combine clinical, laboratory, and animal research related to C. difficile that reflects issues that are considered to be major contemporary challenges. Among this work is the pursuit of studies of immune mechanisms to better control this disease.

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Evaluation of Diagnostic Tests for Clostridium difficile Infection

Journal of Clinical Microbiology ◽

10.1128/jcm.01579-09 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 48 (2) ◽

pp. 606-608 ◽

Cited By ~ 105

Author(s):

J. Swindells ◽

N. Brenwald ◽

N. Reading ◽

B. Oppenheim

Keyword(s):

Clostridium Difficile ◽

Clostridium Difficile Infection ◽

Diagnostic Tests

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EVALUATION OF THE RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE INFECTION – A PILOT STUDY

Forum Zakażeń ◽

10.15374/fz2015035 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 161-164

Author(s):

Beata Denisiewicz ◽

Marzenna Bartoszewicz

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Clostridium Difficile ◽

Clostridium Difficile Infection ◽

Factors Associated

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Self-Administered Home Series Fecal “Minitransplants” for Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection on a Rectal Remnant

Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases ◽

10.15403/jgld.2014.1121.244.clo ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 24 (4) ◽

pp. 531-533 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Daniel Popa ◽

Mihaela Laszlo ◽

Lidia Ciobanu ◽

Elena Ucenic ◽

Manuela Mihalache ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Clostridium Difficile ◽

Clostridium Difficile Infection ◽

Toxic Megacolon ◽

Fecal Microbiota ◽

Recurrent Infections ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

Vaginal Infection ◽

Fecal Microbiota Transplant ◽

Recurrent Clostridium Difficile Infection

A fecal microbiota transplant has proved to be an extremely effective method for patients with recurrent infections with Clostridium difficile. We present the case of a 65-year-old female patient with multiple Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) relapses on the rectal remnant, post-colectomy for a CDI-related toxic megacolon. The patient also evidenced associated symptomatic Clostridium difficile vaginal infection. She was successfully treated with serial fecal “minitransplants” (self-administered at home) and metronidazole ovules.Abbreviations: GI: gastrointestinal; MRI: magnetic resonance imaging; CDI: Clostridium difficile infection; FMT: fecal microbiota transplant.

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Serendipity in Refractory Celiac Disease: Full Recovery of Duodenal Villi and Clinical Symptoms after Fecal Microbiota Transfer

Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases ◽

10.15403/jgld.2014.1121.253.cel ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 385-388 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Yvette H. Van Beurden ◽

Tom Van Gils ◽

Nienke A. Van Gils ◽

Zain Kassam ◽

Chris J.J. Mulder ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Celiac Disease ◽

T Cell ◽

Clostridium Difficile ◽

Clostridium Difficile Infection ◽

Cell Lymphoma ◽

Fecal Microbiota ◽

Disease Type ◽

T Cell Lymphoma ◽

Type Ii ◽

Refractory Celiac Disease

Treatment of refractory celiac disease type II (RCD II) and preventing the development of an enteropathy associated T-cell lymphoma in these patients is still difficult. In this case report, we describe a patient with RCD II who received fecal microbiota transfer as treatment for a recurrent Clostridium difficile infection, and remarkably showed a full recovery of duodenal villi and disappearance of celiac symptoms. This case suggests that altering the gut microbiota may hold promise in improving the clinical and histological consequences of celiac disease and/or RCD II. Abbreviations: CDI: Clostridium difficile infection; EATL : enteropathy associated T-cell lymphoma; FMT: fecal microbiota transfer; IEL: intraepithelial lymphocytes; RCD II: refractory celiac disease type II; TPN: total parenteral nutrition.

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