{"id":58543,"date":"2016-05-09T11:47:47","date_gmt":"2016-05-09T09:47:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/conditions\/clostridium-difficile\/"},"modified":"2026-09-28T20:57:38","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T18:57:38","slug":"clostridium-difficile","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/conditions\/clostridium-difficile\/","title":{"rendered":"Clostridium difficile"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\" id=\"wpb-content-root\">[vc_row el_id=&#8221;microbioom-onderzoek&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n<h2>Clostridium difficile<\/h2>\n<p>Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a harmful variant of the common intestinal bacterium Clostridium. C. difficile is an anaerobic, spore-forming bacterium that can cause diarrhoea when the normal gut flora is disrupted. The bacterium produces two toxins: enterotoxin and cytotoxin. Diarrhoea is mainly caused by enterotoxin. C. difficile can cause serious damage and can even be fatal. In addition to harmful C. difficile, the Clostridium class also includes beneficial bacterial species that are present in large numbers in the intestine. Normal stool contains 1.0\u00b710<sup>^9<\/sup> to 1.0\u00b710<sup>^10<\/sup> bacteria per gram of stool. Clostridium species account for 30% of the intestinal microbiota.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=&#8221;bullet_blue&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n<h2>Symptoms of a Clostridium difficile infection<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]A Clostridium difficile infection can cause the following symptoms:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Diarrhoea. With mild diarrhoea, a person has three episodes per day for two or more days. Mild cases involve abdominal cramps and abdominal tenderness. With a severe infection, watery diarrhoea may occur 10 to 15 times a day.<\/li>\n<li>Abdominal cramps, pain and a swollen abdomen<\/li>\n<li>Blood or pus in the stool<\/li>\n<li>Nausea<\/li>\n<li>Weight loss<\/li>\n<li>Dehydration requiring hospital admission<\/li>\n<li>Fever<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;58544&#8243;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column el_id=&#8221;clostridium-difficile&#8221;][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;blauwkop&#8221;]\n<h2>We recommend the following tests:<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text]<div class=\"woocommerce columns-3 \">\n\t<ul class=\"products wpex-row wpex-clr match-height-grid gap-15\">\n\n<li class=\"entry has-media col wpex-woo-entry span_1_of_3 span_1_of_2_tl span_1_of_2_tp span_1_of_1_pl span_1_of_1_pp product type-product post-59246 status-publish first instock product_cat-intestinal-flora product_cat-modules-3 has-post-thumbnail taxable shipping-taxable purchasable product-type-simple\">\n\t<div class=\"product-inner wpex-clr\"><div class=\"wpex-loop-product-images\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/testen\/acute-bacterial-intestinal-infection\/\" class=\"woocommerce-LoopProduct-link woocommerce-loop-product__link\">\n\t<div class=\"woo-entry-image-swap wpex-clr\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"woo-entry-image-main wp-post-image\" alt=\"Acute Bacterial Intestinal Infection\" src=\"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/bacterie-panel-doos.jpg\" width=\"2446\" height=\"2447\" title=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"woo-entry-image-secondary\" src=\"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/bacterie-panel-collage.jpg\" alt=\"Bacterial Panel Collage\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" title=\"\"><\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/div><div class=\"product-details match-height-content\"><p class=\"woocommerce-loop-product__title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/testen\/acute-bacterial-intestinal-infection\/\">Acute bacterial intestinal infection<\/a><\/p>\n\t<span class=\"price\"><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-amount amount\"><bdi><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-currencySymbol\" translate=\"no\" dir=\"auto\">&euro;<\/span>&nbsp;50,00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/testen\/acute-bacterial-intestinal-infection\/\" class=\"meer-informatie\">meer informatie<\/a><\/div><a href=\"\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/58543?add-to-cart=59246\" data-quantity=\"1\" class=\"button product_type_simple add_to_cart_button ajax_add_to_cart\" data-product_id=\"59246\" data-product_sku=\"DK029\" aria-label=\"Add to cart: &ldquo;Acute bacterial intestinal infection&rdquo;\" rel=\"nofollow\" data-success_message=\"&ldquo;Acute bacterial intestinal infection&rdquo; has been added to your cart\">+<\/a><span class=\"gtm4wp_productdata\" style=\"display:none; visibility:hidden;\" data-gtm4wp_product_data=\"{&quot;internal_id&quot;:59246,&quot;item_id&quot;:&quot;59246&quot;,&quot;item_name&quot;:&quot;Acute bacterial intestinal infection&quot;,&quot;sku&quot;:&quot;DK029&quot;,&quot;price&quot;:50,&quot;stocklevel&quot;:null,&quot;stockstatus&quot;:&quot;instock&quot;,&quot;google_business_vertical&quot;:&quot;retail&quot;,&quot;item_category&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;59246&quot;,&quot;productlink&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.darmklachten.nl\\\/en\\\/testen\\\/acute-bacterial-intestinal-infection\\\/&quot;,&quot;item_list_name&quot;:&quot;General Product List&quot;,&quot;index&quot;:1,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;simple&quot;,&quot;item_list_id&quot;:&quot;general-product-list&quot;,&quot;item_brand&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\"><\/span><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"entry has-media col wpex-woo-entry span_1_of_3 span_1_of_2_tl span_1_of_2_tp span_1_of_1_pl span_1_of_1_pp product type-product post-59505 status-publish instock product_cat-all-tests product_cat-intestinal-flora has-post-thumbnail taxable shipping-taxable purchasable product-type-simple\">\n\t<div class=\"product-inner wpex-clr\"><div class=\"wpex-loop-product-images\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/testen\/microbiome-test\/\" class=\"woocommerce-LoopProduct-link woocommerce-loop-product__link\">\n\t<div class=\"woo-entry-image-swap wpex-clr\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"woo-entry-image-main wp-post-image\" alt=\"Microbiome Test\" src=\"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Microbioom-doos.jpg\" width=\"2446\" height=\"2447\" title=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"woo-entry-image-secondary\" src=\"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/microbioom-collage.jpg\" alt=\"Microbiome Collage\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" title=\"\"><\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/div><div class=\"product-details match-height-content\"><p class=\"woocommerce-loop-product__title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/testen\/microbiome-test\/\">Microbiome test<\/a><\/p>\n\t<span class=\"price\"><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-amount amount\"><bdi><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-currencySymbol\" translate=\"no\" dir=\"auto\">&euro;<\/span>&nbsp;185,00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/testen\/microbiome-test\/\" class=\"meer-informatie\">meer informatie<\/a><\/div><a href=\"\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/58543?add-to-cart=59505\" data-quantity=\"1\" class=\"button product_type_simple add_to_cart_button ajax_add_to_cart\" data-product_id=\"59505\" data-product_sku=\"DK024\" aria-label=\"Add to cart: &ldquo;Microbiome test&rdquo;\" rel=\"nofollow\" data-success_message=\"&ldquo;Microbiome test&rdquo; has been added to your cart\">+<\/a><span class=\"gtm4wp_productdata\" style=\"display:none; visibility:hidden;\" data-gtm4wp_product_data=\"{&quot;internal_id&quot;:59505,&quot;item_id&quot;:&quot;59505&quot;,&quot;item_name&quot;:&quot;Microbiome test&quot;,&quot;sku&quot;:&quot;DK024&quot;,&quot;price&quot;:185,&quot;stocklevel&quot;:null,&quot;stockstatus&quot;:&quot;instock&quot;,&quot;google_business_vertical&quot;:&quot;retail&quot;,&quot;item_category&quot;:&quot;All tests&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;59505&quot;,&quot;productlink&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.darmklachten.nl\\\/en\\\/testen\\\/microbiome-test\\\/&quot;,&quot;item_list_name&quot;:&quot;General Product List&quot;,&quot;index&quot;:2,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;simple&quot;,&quot;item_list_id&quot;:&quot;general-product-list&quot;,&quot;item_brand&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\"><\/span><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>[vc_btn title=&#8221;View all related test modules&#8221; style=&#8221;custom&#8221; custom_background=&#8221;#6dc199&#8243; custom_text=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; shape=&#8221;round&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; i_icon_fontawesome=&#8221;fas fa-cart-plus&#8221; add_icon=&#8221;true&#8221; link=&#8221;url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.darmklachten.nl%2Fen%2Faandoening%2Fclostridioides-difficile-associated-diarrhea-cdad-infection-with-clostridioides-difficile%2F|&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1701936690382{margin-top: 32px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n<h2>Number of Clostridium difficile infections per year<\/h2>\n<p>Every year, more than half a million people become infected with C. difficile. In recent years, C. difficile infections have become more frequent, more severe and more difficult to treat. Research in hospitals shows that 18 people per 10,000 admissions test positive for Clostridium difficile. The infection also occurs outside healthcare institutions, particularly among older patients with diarrhoea.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n<h2>Diagnosis of Clostridium difficile<\/h2>\n<p>C. difficile toxins can be measured quickly and easily in stool. Detection of C. difficile toxins in faeces is performed using an immunoassay.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n<h2>Risk factors for infection<\/h2>\n<p>The likelihood of infection is increased by:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The use of acid-suppressing medicines.<\/li>\n<li>Reduced resistance. People with a healthy immune system experience few problems from an infection, but older people and people in poor health may be unable to break down the toxins.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n<h2>Prevention<\/h2>\n<p>A person can become infected with this bacterium in hospital or through contact with, for example, a family member. C. difficile spreads via contaminated objects and surfaces. It is therefore important to pay close attention to keeping the environment clean. Spores are resistant to drying, heat and chemicals. They can therefore remain present in bathrooms, bedside tables, thermometers and similar objects.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n<h2>Treatment<\/h2>\n<p>Treatment of an acute C. difficile infection consists of prescribing oral antibiotics (metronidazole, vancomycin). These antibiotics specifically target this bacterium. In addition to taking antibiotics, it is important that the gut flora is given the opportunity to recover. The gut flora can recover, among other things, by stopping the use of unnecessary antibiotics. If another antibiotic is being used, it should only be stopped in consultation with a doctor. A probiotic may have a beneficial effect on the gut flora.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n<h2>About Darmklachten.nl<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1617007411960{margin-top: 16px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;3\/4&#8243;][vc_column_text]Darmklachten.nl is an initiative of MGlab&amp;Advies, a laboratory specialising in stool testing. &#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/about-us\/\">read more<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;][vc_column_text]<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-46036 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MGLAB-LOGO-TEKST-2022.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"637\" height=\"126\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MGLAB-LOGO-TEKST-2022.jpg 637w, https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MGLAB-LOGO-TEKST-2022-300x59.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MGLAB-LOGO-TEKST-2022-600x119.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 637px) 100vw, 637px\" \/>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row el_id=&#8221;microbioom-onderzoek&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text] Clostridium difficile Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a harmful variant of the common intestinal bacterium Clostridium. C. difficile is an anaerobic, spore-forming bacterium that can cause diarrhoea when the normal gut flora is disrupted. The bacterium produces two&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2429,"featured_media":0,"parent":57926,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-58543","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","entry","no-media"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/58543","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2429"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=58543"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/58543\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":58581,"href":"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/58543\/revisions\/58581"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/57926"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=58543"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}