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Updated: May 18, 2026
12:58
A Protocol to Characterize the Morphological Changes of Clostridium difficile in Response to Antibiotic Treatment
Published on: May 25, 2017
Mortality and Clostridium difficile infection: a review.
Brett G Mitchell1, Anne Gardner
1School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Australian Catholic University, Dickson, PO BOX 256, ACT, Australia. bgmitc001@myacu.edu.au.
Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control
|September 11, 2012
Summary
Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) poses a significant mortality risk for hospitalized patients, with high rates observed globally. This review highlights the urgent need for effective prevention and control measures against this serious bacterial infection.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a prevalent cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea.
- Increasing global incidence and severity of CDI, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere.
- CDI represents a significant public health concern due to its associated mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and describe mortality rates in hospitalized patients diagnosed with Clostridium difficile infection.
- To synthesize current evidence on CDI-related mortality.
- To underscore the severity of CDI and the need for intervention.
Main Methods:
- Integrative review of literature published between January 1, 2005, and April 30, 2011.
- Systematic search of electronic databases for studies on CDI and mortality in hospitalized patients.
- Individual analysis and thematic synthesis of reviewed papers.
Main Results:
- All-cause 30-day mortality ranged from 9% to 38%.
- Attributable 30-day mortality was reported between 5.7% and 6.9% in three studies.
- In-hospital mortality rates varied widely, from 8% to 37.2%.
Conclusions:
- High all-cause 30-day mortality (≥15% in 15 studies) indicates CDI is a serious infection.
- Reinforces the critical need for enhanced CDI prevention and control strategies.
- Calls for future research in non-European/North American settings and inclusion of comorbidity data.
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