Clostridium difficile

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What is C. diff?

Clostridium Difficile, also known as C. Difficile, is a bacterium that can cause symptoms ranging from diarrhea to life-threatening inflammation of the colon.C. Difficile mostly affects older adults. However, studies show increasing rates of C. Difficile infection among people who are generally not included in high-risk groups, such as younger, healthier individuals.

C. diff Complications

Complications of C. difficile infections include:
  • Dehydration: Severe diarrhea can lead to a significant loss of fluids and electrolytes. This makes it difficult for your body to function normally and can cause blood pressure to drop to dangerously low levels
  • Kidney failure: In some cases, dehydration can occur so quickly that kidney function rapidly deteriorates (kidney failure).
  • Toxic megacolon: In this rare condition, your colon is unable to expel gas and stool, causing it to become greatly distended (megacolon). Left untreated, your colon may rupture, causing bacteria from the colon to enter your abdominal cavity. An enlarged or ruptured colon requires emergency surgery and may be fatal
  • Death. Even mild to moderate C. difficile infections can quickly progress to fatal disease if not treated promptly
  • 1. C. difficile infection. (n.d.). Retrieved May 31, 2021, from Mayoclinic.org website: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/c-difficile/symptoms-causes/syc-20351691

How can we help?

FOMAT is enrolling participants for active C.diff studies.

If you're interested in learning more, fill out the form below and a FOMAT representative will contact you with more information.