diagnosis

Last reviewed 07/2021

  • history of associated antibiotics

  • demonstration of Clostridium difficile toxin in faeces using cell-culture assay or immunoassay. Note that a stool culture for C. difficile is a less efficient method for diagnosis since some strains of C. difficile are non-toxogenic and hence non-pathogenic.

  • sigmoidoscopy or proctoscopy - punctate, adherent yellow-white plaques on an inflamed rectal mucosa.