Clostridium difficile infection is present when one or more factors are present:
- Diarrhea and C. difficile toxin detection/cultural C. difficile detection in stool.
- Toxic megacolon (massive dilatation of the colon) and C. difficile toxin detection/cultural C. difficile detection in the stool
- Endoscopic detection of pseudomembranous colitis.
- Histopathological evidence (endoscopy, colectomy, autopsy).
Severe Clostridium difficile infection when at least one of the following factors is present:
- Need for readmission because of recurrent (reoccurring) infection.
- Need for intensive therapy to treat Clostridium difficile infection/complications.
- Need for colectomy (colon removal) because of megacolon, perforation (breakthrough), or refractory (unmanageable) colitis
- Death less than 30 days after diagnosis with Clostridium difficile infection as the cause of death
