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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
12:58
A Protocol to Characterize the Morphological Changes of Clostridium difficile in Response to Antibiotic Treatment
Published on: May 25, 2017
Relationship Between Intralesional Clindamycin and Development of Gastrointestinal Clostridioides difficile Infection
Sabine L Abukhadra1,2, Daniel B Eisen1
1Department of Dermatology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California.
Summary
Intraincisional clindamycin did not increase Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infection rates in dermatologic surgery patients. Patients receiving no antibiotics or only intraincisional clindamycin had lower C. difficile infection rates compared to historical oral clindamycin use.
Area of Science:
- Dermatologic surgery
- Infectious disease epidemiology
- Antibiotic stewardship
Background:
- Oral clindamycin is a known risk factor for Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) colonization.
- No prior data existed on C. difficile infection incidence with intraincisional clindamycin use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess C. difficile infection rates in patients undergoing dermatologic surgery treated with intraincisional clindamycin.
- To compare these rates against patients not receiving intraincisional clindamycin and historical data for oral clindamycin.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of dermatologic surgery patients.
- Patients categorized based on intraincisional clindamycin administration.
- Medical records reviewed for C. difficile infection diagnosis.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in C. difficile infection rates between intraincisional clindamycin and no intraincisional clindamycin groups.
- Significantly lower infection rates observed in patients receiving no antibiotics or intraincisional clindamycin alone compared to historical oral clindamycin rates.
Conclusions:
- Intraincisional clindamycin does not elevate C. difficile infection risk in dermatologic surgery.
- Avoiding oral antibiotics, including using intraincisional clindamycin alone, is associated with reduced C. difficile infection rates compared to historical oral clindamycin use.
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