Pareja Sierra T, Hornillos Calvo M. Diarrea asociada a Clostridium difficile en el paciente anciano.
Rev Clin Esp 2007;
207:86-90. [PMID:
17397570 DOI:
10.1157/13100203]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Clostridium difficile is the leading cause of infectious nosocomial diarrhea in the elderly. It may cause colitis of variable severity and extraintestinal involvement. Hand transmission is the most important, and it is related to prolonged antibiotic therapies in elderly patients with severe baseline disease. Diagnosis is based on culture and immunological tests to detect its toxins. When there is no response to conservative treatment (withdrawal of the antibiotic and support therapy), metronidazole or vancomycin should be given. Recurrences, up to 20%, are frequent. Preventive measures of its spreading are essential due to the elevated transmission through health care personnel and instruments. Detection of new, more virulent, gene variants of Clostridium difficile have increased the importance of this disease.
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