Clostridium difficile toxin in asymptomatic neonates.
Clostridium difficile toxin was detected in the feces of 10.5% of normal newborn infants and 55% of neonates in the intensive care unit. None of the normal infants and less than one-third of those in the NICU had any signs of enteric illness. Vaginal delivery and breast-feeding were associated with increased rates of toxin carriage. Although toxin was not detected during antibiotic therapy, it could be found in 85% of infants two weeks or more, and for at least an additional two months, following exposure to antibiotics.
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000032:analysis*; D003013:Clostridium; D005243:Feces / Q000032:analysis*; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000378:metabolism
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001427:Bacterial Toxins