Clostridium difficile causes -

Ans. is 'a' i.e., Pseudomembranous colitis & 'b' i.e., Nosocomical diarrhea * Cl difficle causes Clostridium difficle - associated diseases (CDAD).* CDAD is the most commonly diagnosed diarrheal illness acquired in the hospital.* C. difficle is acquired exogenously, most frequently in the hospital.* C. difficle is the most common bacterial cause of nosocomial diarrhea.* Diarrhea is the most common symptom of CDAD.* Pseudomembranous colitis is the advanced form of CDAD.* CDAD is almost exclusively associated with antibiotic use. It is caused most commonly by 2nd generation cephalospirinsy clindamycin, ampicillin and fluoroquinolones.* Other important risk factors (beside antibiotic use) are old age, GI surgery, use of electrical thermometer, use of antacids and PPIs, and prolonged hospital stay.* Pseudomembranous colitis is caused by two large toxins of Cl difficle1) Toxin A (enterotoxin) : Causes disruption of cystoskeleton by glycosylation of GTP-binding proteins.2) Toxin B (cytotoxin) : Has effect similar to toxin A.