Clostridium difficile Infection: Research and Analysis Report

This report provides an overview of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), a significant healthcare concern. It discusses the nature of the bacteria, its transmission, and the impact of antibiotic use. The report highlights the emergence of drug-resistant strains and the role of PCR ribotype 027. It also addresses the financial burden CDI places on healthcare systems. The report references key studies and provides insights into the epidemiology, treatment, and challenges associated with this infection. The report examines the rise of CDI, the impact of antibiotic use, and the emergence of resistant strains, emphasizing the need for effective management strategies and further research to combat this growing health threat.

0Running head: INFECTION
Clostridium difficile Infection
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author’s note

1INFECTION
A burdensome problem that has created a plague in the medical field is Clostridium
difficile infection (CDI). This gram positive bacteria in anaerobic in nature and is spore
forming. CDI can be cured via the application of intravenous or oral antibiotics. However,
recent years has seen the development of more virulent bacterial strains of C.difficile which
are drug resistant in nature leading to the generation of recurrent infection (Cole and Stahl
2015).
CDI is the leading cause behind antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and
pseudomembranous colitis (PMC). It is also responsible for recurrent urinary tract infection
and respiratory infection. Transmission of the bacteria mostly takes place via fecal route or
orally. C.difficile spores are difficult to kill and are abundant in contaminates surface of the
hospitals. Increase rate of application of antibiotics for the treatment of C.difficile infection
may make the patient more susceptible towards the infection of other bacteria. The anti-
microbial treatment affects the gut microbiota and makes the patient immune depressant
thereby increasing the chances of recurrent bacterial infection (Cole and Stahl 2015).
The incidence of CDI has surpassed the rates of methicillin-resistant S.
aureus infections. This increased prevalence of CDI has led to corresponding increase in
mortality and morbidity. This has coincided with the emergence of a rare strain, polymerase
chain reaction (PCR) ribotype 027 or North American Pulse-field type 1 (NAP1). Studies
have given the evidence of the presence of ribotype 027 strains during the outbreak of CDI.
Such incidences are characterized by increased severity and a greater risk of relapse.
Recently, it was reported that additional strains also cause CDI with poor outcomes. The
burden of CDI causes a significant financial crisis on the healthcare domain (DePestel and
Aronoff 2013).

2INFECTION
References
Cole, S.A. and Stahl, T.J., 2015. Persistent and Recurrent Clostridium difficile
Colitis. Clinics in colon and rectal surgery, 28(02), pp.065-069.
DePestel, D.D. and Aronoff, D.M., 2013. Epidemiology of Clostridium difficile
infection. Journal of pharmacy practice, 26(5), pp.464-475.