Does Gastrointestinal Dysmotility Predispose to Recurrent or Severe Forms of Clostridium difficile Infections?

Abdul Wahab Hritani,Ahmad Alkaddour,Jeff House

doi:10.1155/2014/575216

Abstract

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the most common cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea. A limited number of studies have looked at the risk factors for recurrent CDI. Mitochondrial NeuroGastroIntestinal Encephalopathy (MNGIE) is a rare multisystemic disorder that causes gastrointestinal dysmotility. Herein we present a patient with MNGIE who suffered recurrent and severe C. difficile infection despite appropriate treatment. We aim to bring the gastroenterologist's attention to gastrointestinal dysmotility as a possible risk factor for the development of recurrent or severe forms of C. difficile infections.

Highlights

Clostridium difficile is a spore-forming Gram-positive anaerobic bacillus that is the most common cause of diarrhea in hospitalized patients [1]
A limited number of studies have looked at the risk factors for recurrent C. difficile infection (CDI)
We present a patient with Mitochondrial NeuroGastroIntestinal Encephalopathy which is a rare multisystemic autosomal recessive disorder

Summary

Introduction

Clostridium difficile is a spore-forming Gram-positive anaerobic bacillus that is the most common cause of diarrhea in hospitalized patients [1]. C. difficile infection (CDI) is the most common cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea [2]. It is a serious medical condition, and heightened awareness of CDI outbreaks has increased surveillance, the incidence and severity of CDI are increasing around the world. Clinical appearance of MNGIE can be heterogeneous, but it is usually initiated by symptoms of gastrointestinal dysmotility, such as diarrhea, vomiting, and pseudoobstruction [4, 5]. It is characterized by ptosis; progressive external ophthalmoplegia; peripheral neuropathy; and leukoencephalopathy [6]

Case Description

Findings

Discussion