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Updated: Jul 8, 2026
06:51
Cefoperazone-treated Mouse Model of Clinically-relevant Clostridium difficile Strain R20291
Published on: December 10, 2016
Antimicrobial-associated risk factors for Clostridium difficile infection
Robert C Owens1, Curtis J Donskey, Robert P Gaynes
1Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME 04102, USA. audaxpharm@aol.com
Summary
Antimicrobial therapy disrupts gut bacteria, increasing Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) risk. Judicious antimicrobial use and stewardship programs are crucial for preventing CDI and other healthcare-associated infections.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Antimicrobial therapy is a primary driver in Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) pathogenesis.
- Disruption of the gut microbiota by antibiotics allows C. difficile proliferation and toxin production.
- Certain antibiotics, including clindamycin, cephalosporins, and penicillins, traditionally pose the highest CDI risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of antimicrobial agents in Clostridium difficile infection.
- To identify specific antibiotic classes associated with increased CDI risk.
- To emphasize the importance of antimicrobial stewardship in CDI prevention.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on antimicrobial therapy and CDI.
- Analysis of in vitro and animal model data on C. difficile inhibition and toxin stimulation.
- Examination of epidemiological data linking antibiotic use to CDI incidence.
Main Results:
- Fluoroquinolones are increasingly implicated as high-risk agents, partly due to rising resistance in C. difficile strains.
- Reductions in CDI rates have been observed following restrictions on clindamycin and third-generation cephalosporin use.
- All antimicrobial classes carry a potential risk for inducing CDI.
Conclusions:
- Antimicrobial stewardship programs are essential for promoting judicious antibiotic use.
- Environmental and infection control measures should complement antimicrobial stewardship.
- Minimizing unnecessary antibiotic exposure is key to preventing CDI and other healthcare-associated infections.
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