Related Experiment Videos
Extended spectrum cephalosporins and Clostridium difficile
C L Golledge1, T McKenzie, T V Riley
1Department of Microbiology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia.
The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
|June 1, 1989
Summary
Newer cephalosporins and clindamycin are linked to Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea. While clindamycin posed the highest risk, the evaluated cephalosporins showed similar risk levels for this common infection.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) is a significant healthcare concern.
- The role of newer cephalosporins in CDAD pathogenesis requires further elucidation.
- Antimicrobial use is a primary risk factor for CDAD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between newer cephalosporins and the incidence of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea.
- To compare the relative risk of CDAD associated with various antimicrobial agents, including cephalosporins and clindamycin.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study involving 111 patients diagnosed with CDAD.
- Analysis of antimicrobial exposure within four weeks prior to CDAD detection.
- Calculation of relative risk for different classes of antimicrobial agents.
Main Results:
- 106 out of 111 CDAD patients had received antimicrobial agents recently.
- Clindamycin demonstrated the highest relative risk for CDAD.
- Cefotaxime, cephamandole, and ceftriaxone showed elevated risks, with no significant difference among these cephalosporins.
- Narrower spectrum penicillins, anti-pseudomonal penicillins, and aminoglycosides were not potent inciting agents for CDAD.
Conclusions:
- Newer cephalosporins, including cefotaxime, cephamandole, and ceftriaxone, are associated with an increased risk of CDAD.
- Clindamycin presents a higher risk compared to the evaluated cephalosporins.
- Non-cephalosporin antibiotics like penicillins and aminoglycosides appear to be less potent inducers of CDAD.