Clostridioides difficile infection

Clostridioides difficile infection is a bacterial disease of the gastrointestinal tract caused by the toxin-producing, spore-forming anaerobic bacterium *Clostridioides difficile* (formerly *Clostridium difficile*) It most commonly affects adults with recent broad-spectrum antimicrobial exposure, advanced age, or prolonged healthcare facility contact, where disruption of the normal colonic microbiota permits bacterial spore germination and overgrowth Clinical manifestations range from mild water...

Clostridioides difficile infection is a bacterial disease of the gastrointestinal tract caused by the toxin-producing, spore-forming anaerobic bacterium *Clostridioides difficile* (formerly *Clostridium difficile*) Pathogenesis is primarily mediated by bacterial exotoxins (toxin A and toxin B) that damage the intestinal mucosal epithelium, induce intense localized inflammation, and alter fluid secretion

It most commonly affects adults with recent broad-spectrum antimicrobial exposure, advanced age, or prolonged healthcare facility contact, where disruption of the normal colonic microbiota permits bacterial spore germination and overgrowth Pathogenesis is primarily mediated by bacterial exotoxins (toxin A and toxin B) that damage the intestinal mucosal epithelium, induce intense localized inflammation, and alter fluid secretion

It most commonly affects adults with recent broad-spectrum antimicrobial exposure, advanced age, or prolonged healthcare facility contact, where disruption of the normal colonic microbiota permits bacterial spore germination and overgrowth

Pathogenesis is primarily mediated by bacterial exotoxins (toxin A and toxin B) that damage the intestinal mucosal epithelium, induce intense localized inflammation, and alter fluid secretion

Clinical manifestations range from mild watery diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and leukocytosis to life-threatening complications such as pseudomembranous colitis, toxic megacolon, bowel perforation, sepsis, and shock