hospital-acquired diarrhea

white pills spilling out of a prescription bottle
January 17, 2019

Pain relievers a risk for C. diff?

A link between anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and C. diff infection suggests caution against overusing such drugs in patients at high risk for infection.

By Leigh MacMillan
gloved hand placing test tube on rack full of other test tubes
November 30, 2017

Study uses decision support to reduce unneeded lab tests

Diarrhea has many causes, and when there are prolonged or severe symptoms clinicians sometimes consider lab testing to help guide treatment. But sometimes they stray from published guidelines in the direction of overtesting.

By Paul Govern
zinc pill on spoon over white background
September 26, 2016

Study shows excess dietary zinc worsens C. diff infection

Too much dietary zinc increases susceptibility to infection by Clostridium difficile — “C. diff” — the most common cause of hospital-acquired infections.

By Leigh MacMillan
Illustration of human intestinal tract
January 14, 2016

Crystal structure reveals secrets of virulent bacterium

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have obtained the crystal structure of a toxin from the bacterium Clostridium difficile (“C. diff”) — the leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea in the United States.

By Bill Snyder