C. difficile can produce several toxins. But the two best understood are enterotoxin (toxin A) and cytotoxin (toxin B). Both cause diarrhoea and inflammation in infected patients. Which is the worst toxin is the subject of some debate.
C Diff Answers On This Page
What are c diff toxins?
Toxin A – TcdA is one of the largest bacterial toxins. It is an enterotoxin which attacks the mucosal secretions of the intestine, damaging the integrity of cell walls. Increased chlorine activity then takes place.
Toxin B – This toxin is a cytotoxin with similar results to that noted for Toxin A. It is a significant virulence factor in c diff infections. Toxin B provokes the opening of tight junctions of intestinal epithelial cells. This makes the cells more permeable and induces haemorrhaging.
How are they detected?
Testing is essential to distinguish an ordinary diarrhoea attack from a c.difficile incident. Some tests look for either toxin a or b using the nucleic acid amplification test (NAATs) method. These tests are more sensitive than toxigenic culture methods. But because of this may detect c difficile that is still in its benign state – the patient’s symptoms may have another cause.
Are c diff toxins in all c.difficile bacteria?
Non toxigenic c difficile is not uncommon. Studies indicate that the nontoxigenic varieties resolve better with conventional treatment. This means shorter hospital stays and fewer patient deaths.
How do c diff toxins cause an active infection?
The toxins damage the intestinal mucosa and cause the symptoms of C. difficile infection. Animal models suggest that TcdA provokes diarrhoea, neutrophil infiltration, intestinal mucosa inflammation, and internal epithelial cell necrosis. The toxin causes cell erosion and fluid leakage in damaged areas. This results in Clostridium difficile diarrhoea.
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C Difficile News
Last Updated on November 1, 2022
I have a confirmed case of C difficile. I was on NO antibiotics. I had major muscle and joint stiffness and pain on top of the diarrea! My spouse, father, and co worker also shared these symptoms of muscle stiffness days after the diarrea started. I swear its connected, and was so severe my dad’s calf muscle was so tight 2 of his toes were raised. As well as none of us have been on antibiotics! Has this bacteria become more aggressive? It is in the same family as tetanus so could that be why the muscle joint stiffness and pain was so bad??? The doctors are baffled but I bet it will be affecting a whole lot more healthy (non antibiotic) people!