| [ Summary ] |
Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is known to be associated with worse prognosis in patients hospitalized for inflammatory bowel disease. The diagnosis of the complication is difficult based only on symptoms, physical and laboratory findings, or even with endoscopic examination. Because the available fecal tests such as those that use enzyme immunoassay for C. difficile toxins are not sensitive enough, a high index of suspicion should be set for CDI in patients with infl ammatory bowel disease and empiric antibiotic therapy, mostly oral vancomycin, should be started in patients in whom CDI is highly suspected. |