| pubmed-article:20583866 | pubmed:abstractText | Clostridium difficile is the most common cause of nosocomial diarrhea in adults. Over the last decade, there has been a substantial increase in the disease-associated morbidity and mortality rate from this infection accompanied by identification of new hypervirulent strains. Fulminant colitis, a severe and complicated form of the disease that frequently necessitates surgical intervention, occurs in 3-8% of patients infected with C. difficile. The postoperative mortality rate for fulminant colitis continues to be dire, ranging from 34-57%. | lld:pubmed |
