Community-Associated Clostridioides difficile Infection, formerly Clostridium difficile

Course overview

Since 2000, the epidemiology of Clostridioides (formerly Clostridium) difficile infection (CDI) has changed with significant increases in incidence and severity. Recently overall incidence of CDI and healthcare-associated CDI has decreased while community-associated CDI has not. CDI, once considered to be exclusively a hospital-acquired infection, had nearly 50% community-associated cases in 2017. Infections in those considered low risk (peripartum women, children, and young healthy adults) have increased. Many infected patients lack the usual predisposing CDI risk factors. This course discusses risk factors related to emergence of community CDI, ways community-associated CDIs are transmitted, and current prevention and treatment guidelines of CDI.