What is Clostridium difficile infection?

Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a bacterium (germ). It lives harmlessly in the gut of many people. About 3 in 100 healthy adults and as many as 7 in 10 healthy babies have a number of C. difficile bacteria living in their gut. The number of C. difficile bacteria that live in the gut of healthy people is kept in check by all the other harmless bacteria that also live in the gut. So, in other words, some of us normally have small numbers of C.difficile bacteria living in our guts, which do no harm.

C. difficile produces spores (like 'seeds') which are very hardy and resistant to high temperatures. Spores are passed out with the faeces (stools) of people who have C. difficile in their gut. Spores can persist in the environment (for example, on clothes, bedding, surfaces, etc) for several months or years. The spores can also be spread through the air (for example, when shaking bedclothes when making a bed). They may get on to food, and into the mouth and gut of some people. Spores that get into a human gut develop into mature bacteria. So, this is how some people end up with C. difficile living harmlessly in their gut.

However, if the number of C. difficile bacteria increases greatly in the gut, then it can cause problems. The most common reason why this occurs is due to taking antibiotics.

Antibiotics are the main cause of Clostridium difficile infection

Say you take antibiotics for a urine infection, skin infection, etc. As well as killing the bacteria that cause the urine or skin infection, the antibiotics will also kill many of the harmless bacteria that live in your gut. C. difficile bacteria are not killed by many types of antibiotic. If the other harmless bacteria are killed, then this allows C. difficile to multiply to greater numbers than it would normally do. The bacteria also start to produce toxins (poisons). These toxins are what cause the symptoms (see below).

Therefore, if you take certain antibiotics and if you have any C. difficile bacteria in your gut, the bacteria may thrive and cause an infection. This is a problem that may occur with taking many of the commonly used antibiotics.

How serious is the infection that can develop?

C. difficile bacteria make toxins that can cause inflammation and damage to the inside lining of the lower gut (the colon, also known as the large bowel). There are different strains of C. difficile, and some can cause a more serious illness than others. The severity of the infection and illness can vary greatly. Strain 027 produces more toxins than most other strains and is more likely to cause severe illness.

Many cases are mild

Many people develop mild or moderate watery diarrhoea. They may also have some crampy abdominal pains, nausea (feeling sick) and fever. This is similar to the symptoms that occur with many other mild or moderate bouts of gastroenteritis (gut infection). Symptoms may last from a few days to several weeks. In mild cases, symptoms often clear away without any specific treatment.

Pseudomembranous colitis

This occurs in some cases and is more serious. Colitis means inflammation of the colon. Pseudomembranous means that if you were to look inside the colon, you would see membrane-like patches on the inside lining of the colon. This can cause bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain, a distended colon and abdomen, fever, and make you very unwell. In some cases it becomes severe and life-threatening ('fulminant colitis') and the colon may perforate (rupture). This can lead to serious infection and sometimes death.

Who gets Clostridium difficile infection?

Anyone who takes a course of many types of antibiotic is at risk of developing C. difficile infection. In most cases, the symptoms start within a few days of starting the antibiotic. However, in some cases, symptoms develop up to 10 weeks after finishing a course of antibiotics. As a rule, the longer the course of the antibiotic, the greater the risk of developing C. difficile infection.

However, most cases occur in people who are in hospital, or who have recently been in hospital. This is because C. difficile bacteria and spores are more likely to be found in hospitals. People in hospital are therefore more likely to become infected. Also, people in hospital are more likely to have been given antibiotics. C. difficile infection is often spread from one patient to another in hospital. This may occur if spores get on the hands of healthcare staff who come into contact with infected people, or objects, contaminated with bacteria or spores. For example, contaminated bedpans, toilets, bedding, etc.

The exact number of cases that occur in hospital patients is difficult to determine. However, it is common. Also, outbreaks can occur in hospitals and care homes. About 3 in 10 people who become infected develop symptoms. Commonly this is just a mild or moderate bout of diarrhoea, but it sometimes develops into pseudomembranous colitis.

C. difficile infection is more common in older people. Over 8 in 10 cases occur in people over the age of 65. This is partly because older people are more commonly in hospital. Also, older people seem to be more prone to this infection. It is rarely a problem with children. As a rule, the longer the stay in hospital and the older your are, the greater your risk of developing C. difficile infection. C. difficile infection is also more likely in people who have a weakened immune system or other underlying health problems.

Infection also seems to be more common in people who are taking a group of drugs called proton pump inhibitors. These are drugs such as omeprazole and lansoprazole that are taken to suppress acid production in the stomach as a treatment for acid reflux and indigestion.

Note: if you have had C. difficile infection once, you have about a 1 in 4-5 chance that you will have infection again in the future.

How is Clostridium difficile infection diagnosed?

As a general guide, the diagnosis of C. difficile infection should be suspected in:

• Anyone who develops diarrhoea who has had antibiotics within the previous two months, and/or
• When diarrhoea develops during a hospital stay, or within a few weeks of coming out of hospital

However, you should remember that diarrhoea is often due to other causes. For example, food poisoning or viral infections. Also, diarrhoea after a course of antibiotics may not necessarily be due to C. difficile infection. For example, some antibiotics such as erythromycin can cause diarrhoea as a side-effect because the antibiotic drug speeds up stomach emptying. Also, because antibiotics can upset the balance of the harmless bacteria in the gut that normally help to control our bowel movements, diarrhoea after a course of antibiotics can also occur for this reason. Only around 1 in 5 people who develops diarrhoea after a course of antibiotics actually has C. difficile infection.

But C. difficile should be considered as a possibility in the situations described above. A stool (faeces) sample can be tested in the laboratory to confirm the diagnosis. The test looks for the toxin that is produced by C. difficile in the stool sample. Blood tests, an X-ray of your abdomen or a CT scan may be suggested if you have more severe infection.

What is the treatment for Clostridium difficile infection?

The decision to treat C. difficile infection, and the type of treatment, depends on the severity of the illness. No treatment is needed if you have no symptoms but are known to 'carry' the bacteria in your gut. However, if symptoms develop, some of the treatments below may be needed. If you are not already in hospital, people who have mild infection can often be treated at home. However, if the infection is more severe, you will usually be admitted to hospital so that you can be treated and closely monitored.

Stopping any antibiotics that you are taking

If at all possible, the antibiotic that has caused the problem should be stopped. This will allow the normal harmless bacteria to thrive again in the gut. The 'overgrowth' of C. difficile should then reduce and symptoms often ease. Stopping the antibiotic may be the only treatment necessary if you just have mild or moderate diarrhoea. In fact, many people will have stopped the antibiotic anyway, as the course of antibiotics may have just been for a few days.

Starting a different antibiotic

People with more severe diarrhoea or colitis will normally be given an antibiotic that is known to kill C. difficile. This is usually vancomycin or metronidazole. Symptoms then usually ease within 2-3 days. In severe cases, prompt treatment with vancomycin or metronidazole may ease any colitis and prevent perforation of the colon.

Fluid replacement

As with any cause for diarrhoea, it is important that you replace the fluids that are lost in the diarrhoea. This may be by drinking extra fluids. Sometimes, if you have severe diarrhoea and become dehydrated, fluids need to be given either by nasogastric tube (a tube that passes through your nose directly into your stomach) or via a 'drip' into your veins. See separate leaflet called 'Gastroenteritis in Adults' for more information about fluid replacement.

Surgery in rare cases

In the small number of cases that progress into fulminant colitis, surgery may be needed, especially if the colon perforates.

Treatments to avoid

Anti-diarrhoea drugs such as loperamide should not be used if C. difficile infection is suspected. This is because it is thought that they may slow down the rate at which the toxins produced by the bacteria are cleared from your gut. Probiotics (bacteria and yeasts that resemble the protective bacteria of the gut) are also not recommended at present because evidence that they are helpful in clearing the infection is lacking.

Preventing the spread of infection to others

You, and those caring for you, also need to follow strict hygiene measures if you have C. difficile infection. This will help to prevent the spread of infection to others. If you are in hospital, the following measures are usually suggested:

• If possible, you should have your own room, washbasin and toilet facilities.
• You should regularly wash your hands thoroughly, especially after each time you have been to the toilet.
• Those caring for you should wear disposable gloves and aprons and wash their hands with soap and water before and after attending to you. Hand gel is not an alternative to soap and water but may be used after hand washing. This is because hand gel may not kill the C. difficile spores.
• Toilets, surfaces, floors, bedpans, bedding, etc, should be washed regularly.
• Visitors should also wear disposable gloves and aprons and wash their hands as they enter and leave your room.

What is the outlook (prognosis)?

Most people with C. difficile infection recover, some even without any treatment. However, the diarrhoea can be unpleasant and in some cases can last for several weeks. If needed, treatment with metronidazole or vancomycin gives a good chance of clearing the infection quickly.

Severe colitis due to C. difficile infection occurs in some cases. This accounts for most of the serious complications such as perforation of the colon, and death. Most people who die of C. difficile infection are elderly people who are frail or ill with other things, and who develop the infection during a hospital stay.

As mentioned above, once you have had C. difficile infection, you have around a 1 in 4-5 chance of the infection returning in the future.

Note: you should remain off work or school until you have been free from diarrhoea for 48 hours.

Can Clostridium difficile infection be prevented?

Strict personal hygiene, such as washing hands after going to the toilet, can reduce the spread of this and other infections. Good cleaning practices and strict hygiene measures in hospitals help to prevent contamination of equipment and personnel with bacteria and spores. However, C. difficile is very contagious and it can spread very easily.

Doctors are also being urged not to prescribe unnecessary antibiotics so as to reduce the numbers of people who may be susceptible to C. difficile infection. If antibiotics are needed because of infection, doctors should follow local guidelines about which antibiotics to prescribe.

References

• Diarrhoea - antibiotic associated, Clinical Knowledge Summaries (September 2009)
• Clostridium difficile infection: how to deal with the problem, Guidance from the Department of Health (January 2009)
• Noblett SE, Welfare M, Seymour K; The role of surgery in Clostridium difficile colitis. BMJ. 2009 May 6;338:b1563. doi: 10.1136/bmj.b1563.
• Pillai A, Nelson R; Probiotics for treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated colitis in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Jan 23;(1):CD004611. [abstract]