Clostridium difficile infections

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), also known as C. difficile-associated diarrhoea (CDAD), is an infection caused by the toxins of the spore-forming bacterium Clostridioides difficile. Symptoms vary, but often include diarrhoea, stomach pain and fever.

Signs and symptoms usually develop within five to 10 days after starting a course of antibiotics, but may occur as soon as the first day or up to two months later.

The infection most often affects older adults in hospitals or in long-term care facilities and characteristically occurs after use of antibiotics.