Skip to content

Colitis

Summary: Fulminant or Severe Clostridioides difficile Infection (CDI)

  • Diagnosis:
    • Fulminant or severe CDI is diagnosed in patients presenting with hypotension or shock, ileus, or megacolon.
  • ATLAS Criteria:
    • The ATLAS criteria is a clinical bedside score used to assess the severity and response to treatment.
    • The criteria include the following factors:
      • Age
      • Temperature
      • Leukocytosis (elevated white blood cell count)
      • Albumin levels
      • Systemic antibiotic treatment

This scoring system helps clinicians quickly evaluate the severity of CDI and guide treatment decisions.

(Source: Sabiston 21st edition, page 1356)