Prevalence of asymptomatic Clostridium difficile colonization in a nursing home population: a cross-sectional study.
OBJECTIVE
We conducted a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic Clostridium difficile in a nursing home population.


METHODS
Inclusion criteria for the study required that the subjects be residents of the facility for more than 1 month. Exclusion criteria included: (1) patients who developed C. difficile infection within 2 months prior to stool collection; (2) metronidazole or vancomycin therapy within 2 months prior to stool collection; (3) past surgical history of colectomy; and (4) possible signs and symptoms of active C. difficile infection.


RESULTS
The prevalence of asymptomatic C. difficile infection in this population was 5%. There was no significantly higher prevalence of asymptomatic C. difficile based on age, race, length of stay, gender, diabetes, renal failure, history of cancer, recent antibiotic use, gastric tube, histamine2 blocker/proton pump inhibitor use, Foley catheter, or dementia.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of asymptomatic C. difficile in this population is similar to previously studied populations. Further research should follow a cohort of asymptomatic individuals with C. difficile to determine if colonization may be protective against symptomatic infection.
Rivera
Emmanuel V
EV
Bethesda Family Medicine Residency Program, 4411 Montgomery Rd, Suite 200, Cincinnati, OH 45212, USA. liverdoctor@yahoo.com
Woods
Scott
S
D016360:Clostridioides difficile / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009820:Ohio; D015995:Prevalence