Danielle's Difficulty
Risks, Treatments, and Prevention of Clostridium difficile
Author(s)
Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
dpd22@cornell.edu
Abstract
The incidence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), including severe infection, has increased in both institutional settings and the general community. This case study presents the story of an elderly woman who spent time in a hospital and then in a rehab center after she injured herself in a fall. The woman subsequently developed acute gastrointestinal tract symptoms and was readmitted to the hospital, where she eventually succumbed to sepsis due to CDI. Her granddaughter Danielle subsequently developed CDI. Students are asked to discuss the risk factors for development of CDI and to consider options for treatment and prevention. The role of C. difficile toxins in the development of disease as well as its transmission and recurrence also are covered. The case was designed for an upper level undergraduate microbiology course, but could also be used for pre-medical or pre-nursing students or a medical microbiology or infectious disease course for pharmacy, medical or nursing students.
Objectives
- Identify the risk factors for development of C. difficile disease.
- Discuss and evaluate treatment options for recurrent C. difficile disease.
- Develop and discuss methods to prevent the spread of C. difficile infection in the institutional setting (e.g., hospital, nursing home, rehab center).
- Describe the mechanisms of action of the various toxins of C. difficile and explain their contributions to the different disease spectrums caused by C. difficile.
Keywords
Clostridium difficile; bacteria; diarrhea; toxins; infectious disease; bacterial disease; pathogenesis; antibioticsTopical Areas
N/AEducational Level
Undergraduate upper division, Professional (degree program)Format
PDFType / Methods
Discussion, InterruptedLanguage
EnglishSubject Headings
Microbiology | Medicine (General) | Epidemiology | Public Health | Pharmacy / Pharmacology | Biology (General) | Nursing |
Date Posted
10/17/2013Teaching Notes
Case teaching notes are password-protected and access to them is limited to paid subscribed instructors. To become a paid subscriber, begin the process by registering.
Teaching notes are intended to help teachers select and adopt a case. They typically include a summary of the case, teaching objectives, information about the intended audience, details about how the case may be taught, and a list of references and resources.
Answer Key
Answer keys for the cases in our collection are password-protected and access to them is limited to paid subscribed instructors. To become a paid subscriber, begin the process by registering.