‘C.difficile are capable of forming spores and are widespread in nature. Infection may be endogenous or from exogenous transmission via the faecal-oral route. Clinicians should suspect C.difficile infection in patients with diarrhoea in the presence of the following risk factors; recent or multiple antibiotic use, elderly, comorbidities, immunosuppression, recent gastrointestinal surgery, recent hospital stay or exposure to a person with CDI. Severe cases may lead to C.difficile colitis and urgent surgical assessment may be required.’

For the latest guidance on the diagnosis and management of C.difficile please refer to the HPSC guidelines, HSE Antibiotic Prescribing or The Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) guidelines:

Clostridioides difficile: Clinical guidance on diagnosis and management