Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 3, 2026

Cefoperazone-treated Mouse Model of Clinically-relevant Clostridium difficile Strain R20291
06:51

Cefoperazone-treated Mouse Model of Clinically-relevant Clostridium difficile Strain R20291

Published on: December 10, 2016

The role of Clostridium difficile in childhood nosocomial diarrhea

F Oğuz1, G Uysal, S Daşdemir

  • 1Department of General Pediatrics, Ankara Children's hospital, Social Security Institution, Turkey.

Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases
|December 1, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Clostridium difficile causes significant nosocomial diarrhea in children, particularly those on antibiotics. Combined antibiotic use increases the risk of C. difficile-associated diarrhea (Cdad).

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Hospital Epidemiology

Background:

  • Nosocomial diarrhea is a common complication in hospitalized children.
  • Clostridium difficile is a known cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Clostridium difficile in pediatric nosocomial diarrhea.
  • To determine the incidence and risk factors for C. difficile-associated diarrhea (Cdad) in hospitalized children.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective investigation of 100 children with nosocomial diarrhea.
  • Stool sample analysis for Clostridium difficile and its toxins.
  • Comparison with a control group of 50 hospitalized children on antibiotics without diarrhea.

Main Results:

  • Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (Cdad) was diagnosed in 16% of children with nosocomial diarrhea.
  • All Cdad cases were receiving antibiotic therapy; combined antibiotics increased risk (p < 0.05).
  • Clostridium difficile toxins A and B were detected in 5 children in the control group.

Conclusions:

  • Clostridium difficile is a significant cause of nosocomial diarrhea in hospitalized children.
  • Antibiotic use, especially combined therapy, is a major risk factor for Cdad.
  • Early identification and management of Cdad are crucial in pediatric hospital settings.

More Related Videos

Culturing and Maintaining Clostridium difficile in an Anaerobic Environment11:13

Culturing and Maintaining Clostridium difficile in an Anaerobic Environment

Published on: September 14, 2013

A Protein Microarray Assay for Serological Determination of Antigen-specific Antibody Responses Following Clostridium difficile Infection09:12

A Protein Microarray Assay for Serological Determination of Antigen-specific Antibody Responses Following Clostridium difficile Infection

Published on: June 15, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Bacterial Gastroenteritis01:18

Bacterial Gastroenteritis

Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...
Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota01:18

Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota

The human gut microbiome includes a diverse array of microbial species, including beneficial commensals and opportunistic pathogens, which interact to support host health. These microbes contribute to essential functions such as nutrient metabolism, immune system modulation, and maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity. However, disruptions to this equilibrium—referred to as dysbiosis—can have widespread physiological consequences.Dysbiosis is often characterized by reduced microbial...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Giardiasis01:12

Giardiasis

Giardiasis is a globally prevalent intestinal infection caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis (also known as G. lamblia or G. intestinalis). This flagellated protozoan is the most frequently identified intestinal parasite in the United States and worldwide. Transmission primarily occurs via the fecal-oral route, with infection arising from ingestion of water or food contaminated with cysts. Individuals in low-resource settings, international travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, daycare...
Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic01:26

Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) occur in a healthcare facility while a person receives care for another ailment. This category also includes work-related infections among healthcare staff.
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies. Common...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease01:25

Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease

Crohn’s disease is a chronic, relapsing form of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by segmental, transmural inflammation that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Its pathogenesis arises from a combination of genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and immune dysregulation. Together, these factors lead to an exaggerated immune response against components of the gut microbiome.Genetic and Environmental InfluencesMultiple genetic...