In this study, faecal levels of lactoferrin and cytokines (CXCL-5, IL-8) were elevated in C. difficile-positive compared to C. difficile-negative children with diarrhoea, and time to diarrhoea resolution after treatment was significantly longer in those with elevated faecal CXCL-5 mRNA, and IL-8 mRNA at diagnosis (medians of 7 vs 2 days and 5 vs 3 days respectively). This evidence concerns the gene LTF and Diarrhea.