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Updated: Apr 29, 2026

Culturing and Maintaining Clostridium difficile in an Anaerobic Environment
Published on: September 14, 2013
Asymptomatic Clostridium difficile colonization as a reservoir for Clostridium difficile infection
Alison L Galdys1, Scott R Curry, Lee H Harrison
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Infectious Diseases Epidemiology Research Unit, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, PA, USA.
Asymptomatic carriers of Clostridium difficile (CD) may unknowingly spread the infection. Understanding these reservoirs is crucial for improving healthcare infection prevention strategies against CD infection (CDI).
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Clostridium difficile (CD) infection (CDI) is a major cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea.
- Current infection prevention programs have limited success in controlling CDI.
- Asymptomatic colonization with CD is common and may represent a significant reservoir.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review mechanisms of asymptomatic toxigenic CD colonization.
- To examine evidence of asymptomatic carriers as a source of CDI transmission.
- To discuss implications for healthcare infection prevention.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on CD colonization and transmission.
- Analysis of evidence linking asymptomatic carriers to CDI outbreaks.
- Synthesis of findings to inform infection control strategies.
Main Results:
- Individuals can harbor toxigenic CD without symptoms.
- Asymptomatic carriers contribute to the spread of CDI in healthcare settings.
- The role of asymptomatic colonization is increasingly recognized as a key factor in CDI epidemiology.
Conclusions:
- Asymptomatic CD carriers represent a significant reservoir for CDI.
- Healthcare infection prevention must address asymptomatic colonization.
- Further research is needed to effectively mitigate transmission from this reservoir.
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