Jean-Claude Rambaud The place occupied today in basic and clinical research by intestinal disease related to Clostridium difficile is such that it is hard to remember that this range of disorders was completely identified only in 1977-1978, even though pieces of the puzzle had been identified much earlier. A brief historical review of the discovery of the enteropathogenicity of C. difficile in man might thus be useful. The bacterium was described in 1935 in the stools of infants, using the name Bacillus difficilis [7]. Until 1977, the microorganism, renamed C. difficile, considered to be of endogenous origin, was isolated only in rare cases of abscess or infection, most often unrelated to the digestive tract. Its role in genito-urinary infections [6] was not confirmed. However, the frequency of infant healthy carriers was recognized from the outset [7, 13]. Pseudo-membranous colitis (PMC) was described in 1883 following a gastroenterostomy. Many cases of this condition were published subsequently before the antibiotic era, describing various risk factors [4]. However the disease began to flourish only with the increasingly wide use of antibiotics. Antibiotic associated PMC was first described as an enterocolitis, though with little pathological evidence. It was principally related to the use of chloramphenicol and tetracyclines and attributed to proliferation of Staphylococcus au reus [ 11], a concept strengthened by the spectacular therapeutic action of vancomycin.

Jean-Claude Rambaud The place occupied today in basic and clinical research by intestinal disease related to Clostridium difficile is such that it is hard to remember that this range of disorders was completely identified only in 1977-1978, even though pieces of the puzzle had been identified, much earlier. A brief historical review of the discovery of the enteropathogenicity of C. dif. ficile in man might thus be useful. The bacterium was described in 1935 in the stools of infants, using the name Bacillus difficilis [7]. U ntiI 1977, the microorganism, renamed C. difficile, considered to be of endogenous origin, was isolated only in rare cases of abscess or infection, most often unrelated to the digestive tract. Its role in genito-urinary infections [6] was not confirmed. However, the frequency of infant healthy carriers was recognized from the outset [7, 13]. Pseudo-membranous colitis (PMC) was described in 1883 following a gastroenterostomy. Many cases of this condition were published subsequently before the antibiotic era, describing various risk factors [4]. However the disease began to flourish only with the increasingly wide use of antibiotics. Antibiotic- associated PMC was first described as an enterocolitis, though with little pathological evidence. It was principally related to the use of chloramphenicol and tetracyclines and attributed to proliferation of Staphylococcus aureus [11], a concept strengthened by the spectacular therapeutic action of vancomycin.

Have you been diagnosed with C. diff, or do you have a family member suffering from symptoms of a C. diff infection? Do you want to know what causes C. diff, how to limit its spread, and modern treatment options? In "C. Diff In 30 Minutes: A Guide To Clostridium Difficile For Patients And Families," author and Harvard Medical School Professor J. Thomas Lamont, M.D. uses plain-English explanations and case studies to describe this unpleasant gastrointestinal infection and how it can be successfully treated. One of the world's top experts on C. diff, Dr. Lamont has conducted ground-breaking research on the bacterium and has helped thousands of patients with C. diff. Clostridium difficile, or C. diff, is one of the most common hospital-acquired infections in the United States. In a recent study at a major Boston teaching hospital, nearly 1/3 of inpatients who were given antibiotics were infected with C. diff. More than half of these patients suffered from diarrhea and other symptoms. "C. Diff In 30 Minutes" includes sections about: The origins of C. diff How you can get C. diff Four C. diff cases, from infection to cure Antibiotics that can lead to C. diff infections Treatment options, including antibiotics and cutting-edge procedures such as stool transplants How to limit the spread of C. diff Recurring C. diff: What causes it, and special treatments A glossary of medical terms Online resources "C. Diff In 30 Minutes" is not a DIY guide -- a doctor is needed to diagnose and treat C. diff. However, this guide can help you understand what your doctor is recommending and why. If you or a loved one has C. diff, "C. Diff In 30 Minutes" can be an invaluable resource to understand and deal with the infection.