Clostridium Difficile Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Clostridium Difficile - Essay Example The role of CDI in antibiotic-associated diarrhea was recognized in 1970s. In 2000, the emergence of a drug-resistant hypervirulent strain was documented. This strain was associated with severe and recurrent CDI. Between 2000 and 2005, the CDI cases almost doubled, of which majority were older adults (Kee 2011). CDI is characterized by at least three unformed feces, within a 24-hour period, with C. difficile (McCollum and Rodriguez 2012). The presence of infection is examined through histopathologic or endoscopic tests. CDI has been linked to approximately 20% of all cases of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in humans (Carman et al. 2011). From being associated with simple to severe diarrhea, C. difficile is now regarded as the principal cause of various diseases, including sepsis, fulminant colitis, multiorgan failure, toxic megacolon, and even death (Ananthakrishnan and Binion 2010). History and Epidemiology Staphylococcus aureus was commonly linked to antibiotic-associated diarrhea, but in 1974, the cases of clindamycin-associated pseudomembranus colitis were found not caused by S. aureus (Bartlett 2008). These cases were later associated with C. difficile when the link between CDI and antibiotic therapy was elucidated. CDI became more common and severe since the year 2000. From a common cause of nuisance, it evolved into a principal nosocomial cause of mortality and morbidity (McCollum and Rodriguez 2012). ... This percentage increases with age, making the elderly more prone to CDI than the young adults. Older adults may have 10% to 20% colonization rates, depending on the length and frequency of exposure to antibiotic treatments and to C. difficile (Wilcox 2003). Although the vegetative forms of the bacillus die upon exposure to air, its spores may last for months and even years. Hospitals are the major source of C. difficile spores. The bacillus can also be found in farmyards and domestic animals like dogs, cows, cats, horses, and pigs. In developed countries, hospital-acquired diarrhea is likely associated with C. difficile than any other bacteria (Wilcox 2003). In England and Wales, about 18,000 laboratory cases of C. difficile are reported annually (Wilcox 2003). More than 80% of these cases involved patients with ages of over 65 years (Wilcox 2003). The elderly patients tend to acquire severe CDI, though increasing age is not a risk factor for the extent of infection severity. These trends were also observed in the U.S. In fact, the economic cost of CDI cases in the U.S. range from $436 million to $3 billion in a year (Ananthakrishnan and Binion 2010). Clinical and Pathological Features It is often difficult to differentiate the clinical and pathological characteristics of the disease caused by C. difficile from those of other intestinal diseases, such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and chronic inflammatory bowel disease (Knoop et al. 1993). The symptoms may manifest as early as one to two days after an antimicrobial therapy and as late as two to ten weeks after the therapy. C. difficile-associated disease could also occur after a single

Marketing Fundamentals Module (CIM Professional Certificate in Essay

Marketing Fundamentals Module (CIM Professional Certificate in Marketing) - Essay Example Their definition of a successful firm is one, which is able to predict the future accurately, acquire core competences ahead of competition and thereby become the dominant player within an industrial sector. Markets always change faster than Marketing. Today many companies are disappointed over marketing’s inability to produce measurable result. While companies unabashedly declare their wish to get closer to customers, marketing actually losing power to other functions in the corporation. Now to achieve highest level of operations every company needs a strong market plan, which will ensure success to them in the present competitive environment. 2. Marketing plan: The marketing plan operates at two levels strategic and tactical. The strategic marketing plan lays out the target markets and value proposition that will offer, based on an analysis of the best market opportunities. The tactical marketing plan specifies the marketing tactics, including product features, promotion merchandising, pricing, channels and services. The marketing plan is the central instrument for directing and coordinating the marketing effort. Today teams develop marketing plans with inputs and sign-offs from every important organizational function. These plans are then implemented at the appropriate levels of the organization, with management monitoring results and taking corrective action when necessary. The format and contents of marketing plans depend upon the size of the organization, the attitude of the organization the degree of formalization required within the annual planning cycle process and accepted sector conventions. 2.1. Situation review: Within situation review, there should be coverage of the strategic situation facing the organization. This will base on a description of market size, market growth trends, customer benefits