[Nosocomial epidemiology and transmission of Clostridium difficile infection].
BACKGROUND
Clostridium difficile is of growing importance as a hospital-acquired pathogen. Pseudomembraneous colitis is the main clinical disease. Transmission and epidemiological features are not yet fully understood.


METHODS
Stool samples from 1164 individuals (571 women and 593 men) attending were examined for the presence of C. difficile. Follow-up examinations and molecular typing methods were used for the detection nosocomial transmissions. Additionally, hospital-borne environmental samples as well as staff samples were tested.


RESULTS
Incidence of C. difficile infection was 8.4%. Nearly all patients (92.9%) had antibiotics given. Using molecular typing nosocomial transmission was evident. Though, environmental samples in general had a low positivity, toilet chairs were contaminated in 15.4% and may be a potential source of transmission. Staff was positive in only one case.


CONCLUSIONS
Prevention of infections with C. difficile becomes to be a major threat for the clinical and hygienic management.
Grünewald
T
T
2. Klinik für Innere Medizin, Klinikum St. Georg Leipzig.
Frenzel
S
S
Decker
M
M
Lindner
B
B
Sultzer
R
R
von Eichel-Streiber
C
C
Ruf
B R
BR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016360:Clostridioides difficile; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D012307:Risk Factors; D014038:Toilet Facilities