title: [Epidemic risk of disease associated with a new strain of Clostridium difficile].
abstract: The incidence of Clostridium difficile infection in North America and Europe has increased in the last years, generating concern among health professionals. A new strain of C. difficile has been identified in recent nosocomial outbreaks and community-acquired infections. This new strain, characterized as toxigenic type III, PCR ribotype 027 (C. difficile 027), presents higher pathogenicity because of increased exotoxin production, and a characteristic antibiotic resistance profile. Since 2003, several European countries have notified cases of C. difficile 027-associated disease, a fact that demonstrates its rapid dissemination. In this article, we review the latest nosocomial outbreaks associated with this new strain, which illustrate the need for a standardized surveillance system for early detection and implementation of control measures aimed at reducing the spread of this microorganism.
authors.affiliation: Servicio Medicina Preventiva, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arteaga
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Santa-Olalla
authors.forename: M José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Sierra
authors.forename: Aurora
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Limia
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cortés
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Amela
mesh_terms: D016360:Clostridioides difficile / Q000145:classification*; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors