Analysis of C. difficile Infection: Risk Factors, Relapse, Treatment

This report provides a detailed analysis of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection, addressing its various aspects. Part I focuses on the risk factors associated with the disease, including factors such as age, previous antibiotic usage, and gastrointestinal procedures. The report also examines the role of C. difficile spores and toxins (TcdA and TcdB) in the infection process. Part II explores the potential for disease relapse, discussing factors like low immunoglobulin levels and fecal incontinence. Finally, the report outlines various treatment options, including antibiotics, probiotics, and fecal transplantation. References to relevant research papers are also included to support the analysis.

Part I – A Problematic Disease
1.
Risk factors mainly include Severity of infected diseases, Increase in age, Non-surgical
operations related with gastrointestinal tract, Nasogastric tube presence, Medications related
to anti-ulcer treatment, Presence of ITU, Prolonged stay at hospital, Antibiotics usage and
administration of multiple antibiotics (Eze et.al,2017).
2.
Some of the possible chances that the following risk factors are integrated with Claire’s
grandmother which include Administration of multiple antibiotics, Increase in age and
severity of presence of infectious diseases and Non-surgical operations associated with
gastrointestinal tract region(Eze et.al,2017).
3.
Some of the possible risk factors include anti-ulcer medications and excessive usage of
multiple antibiotics could lead to develop C. difficile disease in case of Claire.
4.
Individuals who are sensitive, the spores of C.difficile will germinate in the colon region of
intestine which results in formation of vegetative cells and this initiates the procedure of
causing C.difficile infection. A pathway related with sporulation will generate more spores
which are responsible for persistence of C.difficle.
5.
TcdA and TcdB are two toxins that are generated by C.difficle which mainly disrupt the
protein synthesis process in host cell. These toxins are mainly responsible for causing
symptoms such as nausea, pain in abdomen, appetite loss ,fever and diarrhea.
Part II – Relapse
1.
Yes, there are chances of reoccurrence of disease as it is critical for continuation of
medications prescribed for a period of time.
2.
Due to low levels of immunoglobulin and serum albumin levels and incontinence associated
with faecal matter are some of the factors could relapse in C.difficile disease.
3.
Treatment procedures mainly include use of antibiotics, probiotics, antibodies that produced
towards anti -toxins, application of anion resins, faecal transplantation from donor source and
secondary bile acids are recommended for alternative treatment procedures (Hopkins &
Wilson, 2018).

References:
Hopkins, R. J., & Wilson, R. B. (2018). Treatment of recurrent Clostridium difficile colitis: a
narrative review. Gastroenterology report, 6(1), 21–28. doi:10.1093/gastro/gox041
Eze, P., Balsells, E., Kyaw, M. H., & Nair, H. (2017). Risk factors for Clostridium
difficile infections - an overview of the evidence base and challenges in data
synthesis. Journal of global health, 7(1), 010417. doi:10.7189/jogh.07.010417