Spectrum: Local Antimicrobial Stewardship, for IWK Health Centre

Clostridium Difficile Infection (CDI)

Definition

The surveillance definition of CDI includes the presence of diarrhea, or at least three liquid stools within 24 hours, and a positive C. difficile stool test by PCR or toxigenic assay

Note: Discontinue antibiotics for other indications if possible

More Information

Please see Management of CDI in Women’s Health > Pulse > Antimicrobial Stewardship Website

Treatment

For patients whose diarrhea is deemed a result of CDI, treatment recommendations as follows:

Initial Episode
Mild to moderate

  • WBC ≤ 15.0 x 10⁹/L and

  • Serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 x baseline

Severe, uncomplicated

  • WBC > 15.0 x 10⁹/L or

  • Serum creatinine > 1.5 x baseline

  • Hypoalbuminemia

Severe, complicated

Hypotension or shock, ileus, megacolon