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Severe Clostridium Difficile Infection Presenting with Acute Kidney Injury and Prolonged Diarrhoea: A Case Report and Clinical Review

Mohit Yadav, Smriti Arora

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Indian Journal of Emergency Medicine 11(4):p 259-262, Oct - Dec. 2025. | DOI: 10.21088/ijem.2395.311X.11425.8

How Cite This Article:

Arora S, Yadav M. Severe Clostridium Difficile Infection Presenting with Acute Kidney Injury and Prolonged Diarrhoea: A Case Report and Clinical Review. Ind J Emerg Med. 2025;11(4):259-62.

Timeline

Received : July 07, 2025         Accepted : September 05, 2025          Published : December 30, 2025

Abstract

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a significant cause of healthcare associated diarrhoea1 and may lead to severe complications, including acute kidney injury (AKI). We report the case of a 54-year-old male who presented with prolonged diarrhoea and AKI following recent antibiotic use. The patient exhibited hypotension, tachycardia, and marked dehydration. Laboratory investigations revealed elevated serum creatinine, urea, leukocytosis, and a positive stool assay for C. difficile toxins A/B. Aggressive fluid resuscitation, electrolyte correction, and oral vancomycin therapy led to gradua clinical improvement. This case highlights the importance of early recognition and comprehensive management of CDI complicated by AKI in emergency settings. Preventive strategies, including antimicrobial stewardship and infection control measures, remain critical in reducing disease burden and improving outcomes.


References

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  • 7.   Louie T.J., Miller M.A., Mullane K.M., et al. Fidaxomicin versus vancomycin for Clostridium difficile infection. N Engl J Med. 2011; 364(5): 422-31.
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Data Sharing Statement

There are no additional data available. All raw data and code are available upon request.

Funding

This research received no funding.

Author Contributions

All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.

Ethics Declaration

This article does not involve any human or animal subjects, and therefore does not require ethics approval.

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our gratitude to the patients, their families, and all those who have contributed to this study.

Conflicts of Interest

No conflicts of interest in this work.


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Cite this article

Arora S, Yadav M. Severe Clostridium Difficile Infection Presenting with Acute Kidney Injury and Prolonged Diarrhoea: A Case Report and Clinical Review. Ind J Emerg Med. 2025;11(4):259-62.


Licence:

Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.


Received Accepted Published
July 07, 2025 September 05, 2025 December 30, 2025

DOI: 10.21088/ijem.2395.311X.11425.8

Keywords

Clostridium difficileAcute renal failureAcute kidney injury

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Timeline


Received July 07, 2025
Accepted September 05, 2025
Published December 30, 2025

licence


Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.


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