Clinical QuickieInfectious Disease
C. difficile Infection
Diarrhea plus the right exposure and testing context — not a positive assay alone.
Test the right patient
Clinically significant new diarrhea is the starting point. Testing formed stool or asymptomatic patients increases false clinical diagnoses.
Know what the assay detects
NAAT can detect toxigenic organisms even when colonization rather than active toxin-mediated disease is present.
Antibiotic exposure is a major clue
Recent antibiotics, hospitalization, advanced age, immunocompromise, and prior C. difficile increase risk.
Severity and recurrence matter
Leukocytosis, renal injury, systemic toxicity, ileus/megacolon, and prior episodes influence treatment pathway and urgency.
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