Sodium Difficile Research Paper
Clostridium Difficile
Anna Kay Mew
BIOL 210 Summer 2013
Frank D Boone
June 11, 2013
Clostridium Difficile The healthcare professional can expect to encounter various conditions within their scope of experience. Clostridium difficile represents one of the most common and challenging nosocomial infections that can cause life-threatening complications such as hypervolemia, sepsis, pain, and peritonitis (Grossman and Mager 155). The recognition, diagnosis, treatment and inhibition of transmission of this bacterium are imperative in order to limit infection and prevent death. “Clostridium difficile is a gram positive, spore forming anaerobic bacillus, which may or may not carry the genes for toxin A-B production” (Patel 102). In the 1930’s, Hall and O’Toole first identified C. difficile as plentiful normal bacterial flora in the feces of healthy infants. Initially, it was not considered a pathogen. However, by 1978, researchers recognized that toxins released by Clostridium were found in the fecal matter of patients with antibiotic associated diarrhea and concluded it as the cause of the infection (Keske and Letizia 329). The fecal-to-oral bacterial route transmits this particular bacterium. The ability of C. difficile to develop spores, enable this organism to persevere in the most extreme environmental …show more content…
As the incidence of infection has increased in the recent years, the cost of diagnosis and treatment annually has surpassed 1 billion dollars (Keske Letizia 329). These statistics provide evidence that the healthcare professional must be knowledgeable of Clostridium difficile, it’s mode of transmission, signs and symptoms of infection, and precautionary measures used to inhibit the spread of this contagion. Diligence within the healthcare community is required for the protection of those at risk for this
Anna Kay Mew
BIOL 210 Summer 2013
Frank D Boone
June 11, 2013
Clostridium Difficile The healthcare professional can expect to encounter various conditions within their scope of experience. Clostridium difficile represents one of the most common and challenging nosocomial infections that can cause life-threatening complications such as hypervolemia, sepsis, pain, and peritonitis (Grossman and Mager 155). The recognition, diagnosis, treatment and inhibition of transmission of this bacterium are imperative in order to limit infection and prevent death. “Clostridium difficile is a gram positive, spore forming anaerobic bacillus, which may or may not carry the genes for toxin A-B production” (Patel 102). In the 1930’s, Hall and O’Toole first identified C. difficile as plentiful normal bacterial flora in the feces of healthy infants. Initially, it was not considered a pathogen. However, by 1978, researchers recognized that toxins released by Clostridium were found in the fecal matter of patients with antibiotic associated diarrhea and concluded it as the cause of the infection (Keske and Letizia 329). The fecal-to-oral bacterial route transmits this particular bacterium. The ability of C. difficile to develop spores, enable this organism to persevere in the most extreme environmental …show more content…
As the incidence of infection has increased in the recent years, the cost of diagnosis and treatment annually has surpassed 1 billion dollars (Keske Letizia 329). These statistics provide evidence that the healthcare professional must be knowledgeable of Clostridium difficile, it’s mode of transmission, signs and symptoms of infection, and precautionary measures used to inhibit the spread of this contagion. Diligence within the healthcare community is required for the protection of those at risk for this