[Clostridium difficile ribotype 027, toxinotype III in The Netherlands].
Recently, two Dutch hospitals reported outbreaks of Clostridium difficile ribotype 027, toxinotype III. This strain, which was seen earlier in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, produces large amounts of toxins due to a defect in the toxin-regulating gene and causes severe diarrhoea. Antibiotic use, especially use of fluoroquinolones, is a risk factor. Control of outbreaks is hampered by the fact that Clostridium forms spores that can survive for a very long time in the environment and are resistant to the usual surface disinfectants. Protocols for diagnostic investigations, prevention and control of outbreaks are available.
Kuijper
E J
EJ
Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum, Centrum voor Infectieziekten, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC Leiden. e.j.kuijper@lumc.nl
Debast
S B
SB
Van Kregten
E
E
Vaessen
N
N
Notermans
D W
DW
van den Broek
P J
PJ
D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D016360:Clostridioides difficile / Q000145:classification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D021521:Ribotyping
D001427:Bacterial Toxins