Clostridium Difficile
(C. difficile, C. diff)

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Medical Author:

Siamak T. Nabili, MD, MPH

Siamak T. Nabili, MD, MPH

Dr. Nabili received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), majoring in chemistry and biochemistry. He then completed his graduate degree at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His graduate training included a specialized fellowship in public health where his research focused on environmental health and health-care delivery and management.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

Bhupinder Anand, MD

• Clostridium Difficile (C. diff) Colitis Overview
• Clostridium Difficile (C. diff) Causes
• Clostridium Difficile (C. diff) Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Exams and Tests
• Clostridium Difficile (C. diff) Treatment
• Self-Care at Home
• Medical Treatment
• Medications
• Other Therapy
• Next Steps
• Follow-up
• Prevention
• Outlook
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Author and Editors
• Read more on Clostridium Difficile (C. difficile, C. diff) from Healthwise
• Viewer Comments: Clostridium Difficile Colitis - Treatments
• Viewer Comments: Clostridium Difficile Colitis - Treatment

Clostridium Difficile (C. diff) Colitis Overview

Clostridium difficile (or C. difficile, C. diff) colitis is a common infection of the colon that is typically associated with the use of antibiotics. It is, therefore, also called antibiotic-associated colitis. Another common name for this condition is pseudomembranous colitis.

Clostridium is a family of bacteria containing several members. Some of the other well known bacteria in this group include Clostridium botulinum and Clostridium tetani, which are the causes of botulism and tetanus, respectively.

There are typically two forms of Clostridium difficile; one is the inactive or non-infectious form, called the spore, and the other is the active and infectious form. The spore form can survive in the environment for a long time, whereas the active form cannot.

Clostridium difficile colonize the intestinal tract by the oral route (mouth), following the disruption of the balance of normal colonic bacteria (normal flora), which is usually due to the use of antibiotics. Although C. diff spores may reside in the active form in the colon of some individuals (carrier state), they can also be ingested in this form (fecal-oral transmission).

After being shed in the stool, C. diff may be found residing in many places, especially in hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care facilities.

The common locations of the C. diff include:

• furniture,
  
  
• bathroom floors,
  
  
• stethoscopes,
  
  
• bedpans,
  
  
• telephones,
  
  
• fingernails,
  
  
• floors,
  
  
• diaper pails,
  
  
• jewelry (rings),
  
  
• infant's rooms,
  
  
• toilet seats, and
  
  
• other objects commonly used by patients and health care professionals.