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Updated: May 11, 2026
06:51
Cefoperazone-treated Mouse Model of Clinically-relevant Clostridium difficile Strain R20291
Published on: December 10, 2016
Obesity as a risk factor for Clostridium difficile infection
Jihad Bishara1, Raymond Farah, Julnar Mograbi
1Infectious Diseases Unit, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Hospital, Petah-Tiqva, Israel. jihadb@clalit.org.il
Summary
Obesity is linked to a higher risk of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in hospitalized patients. This study found higher body mass index (BMI) was a significant factor associated with CDI.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Clinical Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Obesity and Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) share links to altered gut microbiota, specifically an increased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio.
- The direct association between obesity and CDI risk remained unestablished in prior research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential association between obesity and the risk of developing Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) among hospitalized individuals.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective case-control study was conducted involving hospitalized patients diagnosed with CDI between January and December 2011.
- Cases (CDI patients) were compared to controls (hospitalized patients without diarrhea), matched for age, sex, Charlson score, hospitalization length, and recent antibiotic use.
Main Results:
- The study included 148 CDI cases and 148 matched controls, with a CDI prevalence of 2.8% (178/6300).
- Patients with CDI had a significantly higher mean body mass index (BMI) (33.6) compared to controls (28.9) (P = .001).
- Multivariable analysis identified a history of intra-abdominal surgery (OR=2.865) and higher BMI (OR=1.196 per unit increase) as significant risk factors for CDI.
Conclusions:
- The findings indicate a significant association between obesity and an increased risk of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI).
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise biological mechanisms connecting obesity and CDI susceptibility.
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