Abstract:
Objective: To explore and study the diagnosis and prescription laws in treating Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea by traditional Chinese medicine, in order to provide reference for clinical treatment of CDAD.
Methods: We searched CNKI, WanFang, and other databases, literatures of both traditional Chinese medicine and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine in treating CDAD, which were published in the past 10 years, were collated and analyzed. We conducted statistical analysis of the therapeutic principle, frequency of use, efficacy, potency and taste of a single herb.
Results: The top three treatment were related to strengthening spleen, invigorating Qi and removing dampness, accounting for 52%. Atractylodes, licorice, codonopsis, Chinese yam and white beans were chosen to strengthen spleen and invigorating Qi; Poria cocos and coix seeds were chosen to induce diuresis and eliminate dampness; Fructus amomi and herb were chosen to remove dampness. In treating CDAD, drugs to strengthen spleen, induce diuresis and eliminate dampness were more frequently used, accounting for 53.6%. From the point of view of drug potency, warm and flat drugs accounted for 65.7%. As for the smell and taste, sweet and bitter drugs accounted for 59.5%. In summary, drugs associated with treating spleen, stomach and lung accounted for 60.4% of all drugs used in treating CDAD.
Conclusion: The main principle of treatment for CDAD is to strengthen spleen, invigorate Qi and remove dampness. Herbal prescription should focus on warm and flat herbs, with sweet and bitter smell to go through the spleen, stomach and lung.

Key words: Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, Traditional Chinese medicine, Diagnosis, Treatment, Child