Clostridium difficile taking spotlight as killer superbug

Today, MRSA infections are becoming so well-known that even consumers with little healthcare background have heard of the threat. However, MRSA is not the only dangerous, difficult-to-control bug threatening patients in healthcare facilities today. As hospitals get better control of MRSA, an epidemic of Clostridium difficile (C. diff) is emerging to threaten patients in hospitals, generating complications including ruptured colons, perforated bowels, kidney failure and death.

As we've noted previously, rates of C. diff are rising rapidly, made worse by a new, especially virulent strain of the bug that creates worse complications. According to the CDC, there are 500,000 cases of C. diff infection each year in the U.S., up from 150,000 in 2001. It's estimated that these 500,000 infections are contributing to between 15,000 and 30,000 deaths per year.

Antibiotic use plays a role in the spread of C. diff, as patients often get the bug after taking antibiotics for another illness. It happens because while bacteria in peoples' intestines usually keep it under control, antibiotics may suppress those helpful bacteria, allowing C. diff to expand.

Efforts to control C. diff in hospitals are many and varied, of course, but widely accepted steps include to isolate known and suspected C. diff patients, use antibiotics carefully, clean rooms where C. diff patients have been thoroughly with high-intensity cleaners.

To learn more about this epidemic:
- read this Wall Street Journal piece

Related Articles:
Study: C. diff infections, deaths up in hospitals
CDC warns C. diff a threat for hospitals
MDs, hospitals face tough C. diff battle
C. diff deaths shoot up in Ohio