Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infections have become an increasing problem during hospital stays. As a result of infection, patients may experience longer hospital stays and undesirable health outcomes. Clostridium difficile infections usually require the use of antibiotics for treatment. In addition, probiotics can be used in conjunction with antibiotics to reestablish the balance of intestinal flora.
Clostridium Difficile
Clostridium difficile is an anaerobic bacterium that in some instances is a part of your normal intestinal flora. Unfortunately, overgrowth of clostridium difficile can lead to an opportunistic infection when normal gut flora has been compromised. Although C. diff is present as many different strains, only a certain number of these will produce toxins that cause symptoms and disease.
Clostridium Difficile Infection
The toxins produced by certain strains of C. diff can irritate and damage the inner linings of your intestine. Symptoms often present as severe cramping, abdominal pain and uncontrollable diarrhea. Complications include toxic bowel, sepsis, dehydration and intestinal perforation. Since C.diff produces hardy spores that are passed in the feces and can survive for an extended time in the environment, the spread of infection is a growing problem in patient care facilities. Following the presentation of symptoms, C. diff infections are usually detected by analyzing your stool samples for C. diff bacteria and toxins.
Risk Factors for Infection
Following admission to a patient care facility, your risk of exposure to clostridium difficile increases. You are also at risk if you are immunocompromised since the immune system is unable to prevent the overgrowth of C. diff bacteria. However, the primary risk factor for the development of C. diff is the use of antibiotics, particularly broad spectrum antibiotics that are able to kill many different species of bacteria. Antibiotics are commonly used to treat all types of infections within the body. Unfortunately, they can also destroy beneficial bacteria that are normally found in your intestines. Clostridium difficile can thrive in this situation since it may not be as affected by the antibiotics that are being used.
Probiotics
Clostridium difficile infections are usually treated with antibiotics that specifically target the C. diff bacteria. Unfortunately, this can further damage the normal balance of your intestinal flora. Probiotics are actually cultures of living organisms that you can take orally to restore a normal balance in the gut. The most common probiotics used contain Lactobacillus bacteria or Saccharomyces boulardii, a type of yeast. Probiotics compete for nutrients within the gut, establishing a competitive environment that restricts the growth of C. diff. As a result, antibiotics and your immune system may be more efficient at eradicating a C.diff infection.
Support for Probiotics
According to a 2000 study published in the Journal of American Gastroenterology, M. Pochapin examined the effects of probiotics on clostridium difficile-related diarrhea. The preliminary results suggest that patients with C. diff infections experience an earlier resolution of symptoms when taking probiotics. In addition early data from the study also found that probiotic use may also reduce the acute recurrence of C. diff infections. You should contact a physician if you have any concerns regarding a Clostridium difficile infection.
