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Cefoperazone-treated Mouse Model of Clinically-relevant Clostridium difficile Strain R20291
Published on: December 10, 2016
Risk factors for Clostridium difficile infection in the community: a case-control study in patients in general
L M Søes1, H M Holt2, B Böttiger3
1Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen,Denmark.
Epidemiology and Infection
|October 1, 2013
Summary
Hospitalization and specific antibiotics like phenoxymethylpenicillin are key risk factors for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in adults. Beef consumption also emerged as a significant risk factor for CDI in this patient group.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) poses a significant public health challenge, particularly among patients presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Identifying specific risk factors is crucial for developing targeted prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate risk factors associated with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in Danish patients experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms.
- To differentiate risk factors between adult and infant populations.
Main Methods:
- A prospective matched case-control study design was employed.
- Cases (N=259) had positive toxigenic C. difficile cultures, while controls (N=455) had negative cultures.
- Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to identify associations.
Main Results:
- In patients aged 2 years and older, hospitalization (OR 8.4) and consumption of beef (OR 5.5) were significantly associated with CDI.
- Specific antibiotics, including phenoxymethylpenicillin (OR 15), dicloxacillin (OR 27), and extended-spectrum penicillins (OR 9.2), were strongly linked to CDI.
- In patients younger than 2 years, contact with animals showed an association with CDI (OR 8.1).
Conclusions:
- Narrow-spectrum penicillins and beef consumption are identified as significant risk factors for CDI in adults.
- The epidemiology of CDI differs between adult and infant populations, highlighting the need for distinct approaches.
- Findings underscore the importance of considering dietary habits and antibiotic use in CDI prevention.
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