Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 4, 2026
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation via Colonoscopy for Recurrent C. difficile Infection
Published on: December 8, 2014
Clostridioides difficile infection in immunocompromised hospitalized patients is associated with a high recurrence
Tomer Avni1, Tanya Babitch2, Haim Ben-Zvi3
1Infectious Disease Unit, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Hospital, Petah-Tikva, Israel; Internal Medicine Department E, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Hospital, Petah-Tikva, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Objective:
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) may pose a serious threat to immunocompromised patients (IMC). Herein, we evaluated the clinical outcomes of IMC patients with CDI.
Methods:
All consecutive hospitalized patients between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2018 with laboratory confirmed CDI were included in the study. Subjects were divided into two groups: IMC patients and controls. Primary outcome was the recurrence rate of CDI (rCDI) at 30 and 90 days after the first CDI episode. Secondary outcomes included 30 and 90 day all-cause mortality, length of hospital stay (LOS) and readmission rates. A multivariate analysis adjusted other risk factors for recurrence. An analysis of IMC patient subgroups (based on type of IMC conditions) was also performed. Results are reported as odds ratios (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI).
Results:
A total of 573 patients were included, amongst them 149 IMC patients (36 solid organ transplants, 38 undergoing chemotherapy, 62 haematological conditions, 13 receiving high dose prednisone) and 424 controls. IMC patients were younger, independent and exhibited less significant comorbidities. On multivariable analysis, the rate of rCDI was significantly higher in IMC patients (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.6-5). rCDI was also associated with vancomycin therapy, haemodialysis and previous hospitalizations. Mortality, LOS, CDI complications and rehospitalization rates were similar in both.
Conclusions:
IMC patients with CDI have an increased risk of 90 days rCDI. Vancomycin treatment for CDI endangers recurrence in IMC patients. Further research should explore other therapies for IMC patients with CDI with alternative agents such as Fidaxomicin and Bezlotoxumab.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Immunodeficiency Diseases
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency...
01:29Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
01:26Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies.
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:17Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets
Contact Precautions:
Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...
01:29Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents