Clostridioides (previously Clostridium) difficile

Robin McKenzie, M.D.
Clostridioides (previously Clostridium) difficile is a topic covered in the Johns Hopkins HIV Guide.

To view the entire topic, please or .

Official website of the Johns Hopkins Antibiotic (ABX), HIV, Diabetes, and Psychiatry Guides, powered by Unbound Medicine. Johns Hopkins Guide App for iOS, iPhone, iPad, and Android included. Explore these free sample topics:

-- The first section of this topic is shown below --

MICROBIOLOGY

  • Spore-forming, anaerobic, Gram-positive rod.
  • Produces toxins A and B, which bind to specific receptors in colon. Toxins attack Rho proteins, disrupting actin formation and causing cell death.
  • Studies show that toxin B, not toxin A, is essential for virulence.
  • Spores contaminate hands and hospital environment. Alcohol and other antiseptic hand rubs may be ineffective in killing spores. Hand-washing physically removes spores.
  • A hypervirulent strain (NAP1/B1/027) produces higher levels of toxins A and B and is associated with fluoroquinolone resistance, more severe disease, and higher mortality.

-- To view the remaining sections of this topic, please or --

MICROBIOLOGY

  • Spore-forming, anaerobic, Gram-positive rod.
  • Produces toxins A and B, which bind to specific receptors in colon. Toxins attack Rho proteins, disrupting actin formation and causing cell death.
  • Studies show that toxin B, not toxin A, is essential for virulence.
  • Spores contaminate hands and hospital environment. Alcohol and other antiseptic hand rubs may be ineffective in killing spores. Hand-washing physically removes spores.
  • A hypervirulent strain (NAP1/B1/027) produces higher levels of toxins A and B and is associated with fluoroquinolone resistance, more severe disease, and higher mortality.

There's more to see -- the rest of this topic is available only to subscribers.

Last updated: October 19, 2022