The article “Clostridium difficile–Associated Diarrhea” focuses on the epidemiological features of Clostridium difficile colitis, the pathogenesis and immunological characteristics of the disease. It also focuses on clinical manifestation, diagnosis, as well as treatment. The infection is caused by Clostridium difficile bacteria. The risk factors associated with the infection include old age (more than 65), recent hospitalizations, weak immune system, and previous exposure to the germs. The specific findings of Clostridium difficile colitis are that Clostridium difficile colonizes and disrupts the normal flora in the colon. This process occurs through the fecal-oral route where the ingested Clostridium difficile spores ingested germinate in the colon after surviving the gastric acid barrier in the stomach. The study was done in Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (SCGH), whereby the 917 patients tested positive with C. difficile. In this case, most of the patients who tested positive were aged 60 years and above (Riley, O’Neill, Bowman, & Golledge, 1994). Their number represented 63% of the entire patient population
The research relates to the underlying pathophysiology of the disease because most of the cases reported about the disease has to do with being admitted in health care facilities with the rate of 25-60 cases in every 100 000 occupied bed-days (Mylonakis, Ryan, Calderwood, 2001). This research reflects the fact that Clostridium difficile colitis is prevalent in long term care facilities. The research proves that being in a health care setting for long can expose one to Clostridium difficile colitis. This means that the application of treatment measures could still double up as a risk factor.
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In this topic, I have learnt several important concepts. I have learnt that being in a health care setting can pose a health risk even though we usually go there to seek medical help. I have also learnt that Clostridium difficile colitis is spread through oral-fecal route in spore form. The spores are even resistant to the gastric acid in the stomach. One of the difficult concepts to grasp has been interpreting data analysis in research. I will continue working on data analysis because it is a critical element in medical research.
Reference
Could you have deadly diarrhea (C. diff)?. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/cdiff/what-is.html
Mylonakis E, Ryan ET, Calderwood SB. (2001). Clostridium difficile–Associated Diarrhea: A Review. Arch Intern Med.; 161(4):525–533. doi:10.1001/archinte.161.4.525
Riley, T. V., O'Neill, G. L., Bowman, R. A., & Golledge, C. L. (1994). Clostridium difficile- associated diarrhoea: epidemiological data from Western Australia. Epidemiology & Infection , 113 (1), 13-20.
