INTESTINE Vol.16 No.1(1)

Theme Drug-induced gastrointestinal disorders
Title Diagnosis and treatment of Clostridium difficile infection
Publish Date 2012/01
Author Yasuo Suzuki Department of Internal Medicine, Sakura Medical Center, Toho University
[ Summary ] The development of various powerful antibiotics has improved outcomes for patients with serious bacterial infections. However, inappropriate application and increased use of antibiotics has induced serious side effects and produced multi-drug resistant bacteria strains. One typical disease resulting from inappropriate use of antibiotics is Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). The incidence of CDI is increasing among patients treated incorrectly with antibiotics, due to serious underlying diseases and who are hospitalized for long periods. CDI presents in a broad spectrum of diseases and degrees of severity ranging from a mild to pseudomembranous colitis, septic shock, and even death. Recently, we have come to feel the need to watch for emerging hypervirulent strains most notably NAP1/B1/027. Clinicians, must be familiar with the diagnosis and treatment of CDI having aspects of iatrogenic diseases.
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