Differential Diagnosis for Symptoms of C. difficile
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Clostridioides difficile infection: This is the most likely diagnosis given the symptoms, as C. difficile is a common cause of diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever, especially in patients who have recently used antibiotics or have been hospitalized.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Viral gastroenteritis: Other viruses such as norovirus or rotavirus can cause similar symptoms and should be considered, especially if there is a history of exposure to someone with similar symptoms.
- Bacterial gastroenteritis: Bacteria such as Salmonella, Shigella, or E. coli can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever, and should be considered, especially if there is a history of food poisoning or travel.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Conditions such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis can cause chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss, and should be considered if the symptoms are persistent or recurrent.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Toxic megacolon: A life-threatening complication of C. difficile infection or other conditions such as IBD, characterized by a very inflated colon that can rupture and cause peritonitis.
- Bowel obstruction: A blockage of the intestine that can cause severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and constipation, and requires prompt surgical intervention.
- Ischemic bowel disease: A condition where the blood flow to the intestine is reduced, causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, and potentially life-threatening complications if not treated promptly.
- Rare diagnoses
- Whipple's disease: A rare bacterial infection that can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss, and is often diagnosed by intestinal biopsy.
- Lymphoma or other malignancies: Rarely, diarrhea and abdominal pain can be symptoms of a lymphoma or other malignancy, and should be considered if the symptoms are persistent or recurrent and other causes have been ruled out.
- Intestinal parasitic infections: Infections such as giardiasis or amoebiasis can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss, and should be considered if there is a history of travel to endemic areas.