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World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther. Feb 6, 2014; 5(1): 1-26
Published online Feb 6, 2014. doi: 10.4292/wjgpt.v5.i1.1
Published online Feb 6, 2014. doi: 10.4292/wjgpt.v5.i1.1
Clinical update for the diagnosis and treatment of Clostridium difficile infection
Edward C Oldfield IV, Edward C Oldfield III, David A Johnson, Division of Gastroenterology, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23508, United States
Author contributions: Oldfield IV EC and Oldfield III EC performed the literature review and wrote the manuscript; Johnson DA edited the manuscript and wrote the clinical summaries in the manuscript.
Correspondence to: David A Johnson, MD, Professor of Medicine, Chief of Gastroenterology, Division of Gastroenterology, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School, 4111 Monarch Way, Norfolk, VA 23508, United States. dajevms@aol.com
Telephone: +1-757-4660165 Fax: +1-757-4669082
Received: August 17, 2013
Revised: October 6, 2013
Accepted: December 9, 2013
Published online: February 6, 2014
Processing time: 162 Days and 20.1 Hours
Revised: October 6, 2013
Accepted: December 9, 2013
Published online: February 6, 2014
Processing time: 162 Days and 20.1 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: This paper seeks to explore the treatment and diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) through an extensive literature review of available laboratory techniques and new treatment options. For diagnosis, this includes the glutamate dehydrogenase of stool and polymerase chain reaction for gene toxin. For treatment this includes guidelines based on severity, newer antibiotics for the treatment of CDI, fecal microbiota transplantation, and several new experimental treatment options. Finally, this manuscript offers suggested clinical guidelines for how to optimizing diagnosis and treatment of CDI.