Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) should be suspected after recent
antibiotic use and/or if in the hospital for more than 2 days
Consider infection with C. difficile in the differential diagnosis when a leukocytosis in
hospitalized patients develops
Diarrhea does not have to be present to have a diagnosis of C. difficile colitis
C. Diff stool assay produces a false negative test 10 – 20% of the time2
C. Diff stool toxin assays remain positive during and after successful treatment,
therefore follow up assays for cure are not helpful, follow clinical course 7
Pearl #4: Blood cultures should always be obtained before parenteral antibiotics are