潜伏期一般为 2 至 3 天,但可能超过一周。[2]McDonald LC, Gerding DN, Johnson S, et al. Clinical practice guidelines for Clostridium difficile infection in adults and children: 2017 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA). Clin Infect Dis. 2018 Mar 19;66(7):e1-48.https://academic.oup.com/cid/advance-article/doi/10.1093/cid/cix1085/4855916http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29462280?tool=bestpractice.com艰难梭菌是革兰阳性厌氧杆菌,形成孢子并产生毒素 A 和 B。这些毒素引起大肠炎症反应,导致血管通透性增加和假膜形成。[3]Poutanen SM, Simor AE. Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea in adults. CMAJ. 2004 Jul 6;171(1):51-8.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC437686/?tool=pubmedhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15238498?tool=bestpractice.com 结肠附着的假膜有独特的外观,即炎性黏膜上突起的黄白色斑块,由中性粒细胞、纤维蛋白、黏蛋白与细胞碎片构成。[3]Poutanen SM, Simor AE. Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea in adults. CMAJ. 2004 Jul 6;171(1):51-8.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC437686/?tool=pubmedhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15238498?tool=bestpractice.com
现认为毒素 A 比毒素 B 对疾病产生的作用更重要,在实验动物模型中已发现它能够诱导更大的组织损伤和更多的积液。只有在毒素 A 损伤结肠黏膜后,毒素 B 才发挥作用。[3]Poutanen SM, Simor AE. Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea in adults. CMAJ. 2004 Jul 6;171(1):51-8.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC437686/?tool=pubmedhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15238498?tool=bestpractice.com
无症状携带状态或艰难梭菌相关疾病均可发生,取决于宿主的免疫反应以及感染的艰难梭菌菌株是否产毒。无症状携带者很少有毒素形成的迹象。
临床表现通常发生在抗生素治疗的 4-9 日,也可能发生在停止抗生素治疗后 8 周内。[16]Schroeder MS. Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea. Am Fam Physician. 2005 Mar 1;71(5):921-8.https://www.aafp.org/afp/2005/0301/p921.htmlhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15768622?tool=bestpractice.com
体弱患者可能无法对毒素 A 发生免疫应答,从而无法产生免疫丙种球蛋白。[16]Schroeder MS. Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea. Am Fam Physician. 2005 Mar 1;71(5):921-8.https://www.aafp.org/afp/2005/0301/p921.htmlhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15768622?tool=bestpractice.com