Classification of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) Severity

Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI) Therapy

• The primary goal of therapy for CDI is to eradicate the infection and prevent recurrence.

Treatment Options

• Inhibiting nucleic acid synthesis by disrupting the DNA of microbial cells is a treatment option that involves the use of Metronidazole.

Adverse Effects of Metronidazole

• A dose-and-duration-dependent adverse effect of Metronidazole is neuropathy.
• A common adverse effect associated with metronidazole therapy for CDI is nausea and vomiting.

Treatment Principles

• An appropriate treatment principle for CDI management includes minimizing the use of antibiotics to reduce the risk of recurrence.

First-Line Treatment

• The first-line treatment for mild to moderate CDI is oral Vancomycin.

Severe, Complicated CDI

• In severe, complicated CDI, the recommended treatment regimen is oral Vancomycin in combination with intravenous Metronidazole.
• A characteristic of severe, complicated CDI is the presence of shock, ileus, or megacolon.

Mild-to-Moderate CDI

• The most appropriate initial treatment for mild-to-moderate CDI is oral Vancomycin.

Metronidazole Use

• A notable adverse effect associated with metronidazole use in CDI treatment is peripheral neuropathy.

Risk Factors for CDI Recurrence

• Older adults are more likely to experience CDI recurrence.

Key Goal of CDI Therapy

• A key goal of CDI therapy is to restore the normal gut flora.

Antibiotic Selection

• When selecting antibiotics for CDI treatment, the severity of the infection, the patient's medical history, and the risk of recurrence should be considered.