Clostridium difficile disease, also referred to as C. difficile, is a spore-forming bacillus that causes mild to severe gastrointestinal infection; symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and, in severe cases, colitis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, standard treatment for C.difficile consists of first discontinuing the offending antibiotic. If the symptons persist, further treatment may consist of instituting drug therapy such as Flagyl and Vancomycin. Probiotics, such as S. boulardii and Lactobacillus, are also reported to be of some use in stabilizing the gastrointestinal tract when used in combination with recommended therapies.
Discontinuing the Offending Antibiotic
The CDC reports discontinuing or changing antibiotic therapy reverses the signs and symptoms of Clostridium difficile infection in about 23 percent of patients with mild disease. Symptoms usually reverse within 2 to 3 days, and there are fewer cases of relapse when this method is all that is needed to correct the balance of the colon. This treatment is referred to as conservative and is most successful when there is only mild C. difficile infection
Metronidazole/Flagyl
Metronizadole, known as Flagyl, may be prescribed for mild to moderate cases of Clostridium difficile infection according to the E-Medicine/Medscape website. The drug is usually administered orally for 10 to 14 days; it is reported there is a 95 to 100 percent rate of success associated with its use.
Vancomycin
Vancomycin is the drug of choice for severe infection with C. difficile, according to the E-Medicine/Medscape website. Oral treatment lasts 10 to 14 days, but the drug may be given intravenously if necessary. Incidence of relapse is seen in about 20 to 27 percent of cases. This may be due to incomplete resolution of the disease or contamination of the environment with the Clostridium difficile spores, which are then reintroduced to the patient.
Probiotics
According to the MayoClinic.com website, probiotics such as Lactobacillus and S. boulardii may help to stabilize the gastrointestinal tract and aid in the prevention of relapse when taken along with prescribed antibiotics. It is also noted that more research is needed and that therapy with probiotics alone is not recommended.
