Shanholtzer et al listed criteria for Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CAD). The authors are from the Minneapolis VA Medical Center and University of Minnesota.
Criteria for Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea - all of the following:
(1) >= 6 watery stools within a period of 36 hours
(2) antibiotic therapy was received in the 8 weeks prior to the onset of the diarrhea
(3) one or more of the following:
(3a) pseudomembranes seen in colonic endoscopy
(3b) presence of toxin-producing Clostridium difficile
(3c) stool positive for C. difficile toxin
(4) clinical response to therapy for CAD (antibiotic withdrawal, metronidazole, and/or vancomycin)
(5) exclusion of other causes for the diarrhea
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
