Please note: This is the general version of the course: Clostridioides Difficile R186C. No pharmacology credits will be earned. Click here to take the pharmacology version.

Course Summary

Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infection (CDI), previously known as clostridium difficile, is a gram-positive, spore-forming anaerobic bacterium endogenously present in some individuals’ gastrointestinal tract. Transmission occurs via the fecal-oral route, with clinical manifestations of CDI ranging from mild diarrhea to life-threatening pseudomembranous colitis. C. difficile forms resilient spores and can withstand extreme conditions such as high temperatures, common disinfectants, and acidic pH levels. Resistance to multiple antibiotics is becoming more prevalent, resulting in this pathogen being classified as an urgent threat to global health. In the United States alone, the most frequent causes of hospital admissions are related to toxic megacolon or TM, including inflammatory bowel disease, septicemia, and intestinal infections. The recurrence rate of CDI is a major concern, as many people develop recurrent infections after initial treatment. The diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of CDI in various patient populations are discussed.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Historical Background of CDI
  • Prevalence and Incidence
  • Global Statistics and Trends
    • Demographics
    • Risk Factors
  • Implications for Clinical Practice
    • Pharmacology: Antibiotic Use, Antacids and Immunosuppressants
    • Hospitalization and Healthcare Settings
  • Gut Microbiota and Other Mechanisms of Infection
  • Toxin Production (Toxins A and B)
  • CDI Disease Progression
    • Immune Response and Inflammation
    • Clinical Manifestations
  • Symptoms of CDI
    • Complications: Sepsis, Infection Recurrence and Mortality Rates
  • Differential Diagnosis and Early Detection
    • Stool Tests (PCR, EIA, CCNA)
    • Imaging Studies
    • Challenges in Diagnosis: False Positives and Negatives
  • Treatment of Clostridioides Difficile Infection
    • Adjunctive Therapies: Probiotics/Fecal Microbiota Transplantation
    • Surgical Interventions
  • Infection Control and Prevention Measures
    • Hand Hygiene
    • Environmental Cleaning
    • Antibiotic Stewardship
    • Vaccination and Emerging Therapies
    • Care Management and Other Treatments
    • Biological Factors: Host Immunity and Microbiome Health
  • Biopsychosocial Factors
    • Stress Reduction
    • Social Factors
  • Future Directions
  • Case Study: Ulcerative Colitis and C-difficile
  • Role of the Interprofessional Team: CDI Prevention and Treatment Summary

Author

Harpreet Ghai, MS (Pharm), BPharm, Rph

Harpreet Ghai has been a practicing Pharmacist for 12 years in Comox, British Columbia. He has also completed his Master’s in Science, specializing in Medicinal Chemistry from NIPER (National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research), in India. He has spent 3 years in Pharmaceutical Research at Ranbaxy in Gurugram (India), where he was engaged in Structure-based drug designing and was a part of a premier research-intensive group responsible for discovering novel drugs. Harpreet enjoys the day-to-day challenges at the retail pharmacy. Interactions with customers, listening to their drug-related issues, and providing solutions are profoundly rewarding.