Treatment of Clostridium difficile colitis in the critical care setting

Clostridium difficile colitis is a debilitating infection with a remarkably high associated mortality. Infection is contagious and spreads especially rapidly in an intensive care setting because patients who are there have all the associated risk factors, including major underlying illnesses, prior antibiotic therapy, and use of agents that suppress gastric acidity. Prevention of disease is the responsibility of every health care provider in the critical care setting. This article emphasizes treatment of Clostridium difficile colitis, considers diagnostic techniques, and describes means for preventing the spread of this infection in the intensive care setting.