title: Relapse versus reinfection: surveillance of Clostridium difficile infection.
abstract: Molecular typing was used to examine surveillance definitions for recurrent Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea. Among 102 patients, 85 had a second episode within 8 weeks, 88% of which were relapses. Of 49 second episodes occurring after > 8 weeks, 65% were relapses. Categorization of a recurrent episode occurring after >8 weeks as a new infection may misrepresent the majority of episodes for surveillance.
authors: Infectious Disease Service, Infection Control, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA. kambojm@mskcc.org
authors: Mini
authors: M
authors: Kamboj
authors: Perminder
authors: P
authors: Khosa
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Kaltsas
authors: N Esther
authors: NE
authors: Babady
authors: Crystal
authors: C
authors: Son
authors: Kent A
authors: KA
authors: Sepkowitz
mesh_terms: D016360:Clostridioides difficile / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003015:Clostridium Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003428:Cross Infection; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D058889:Molecular Typing; D015995:Prevalence; D012008:Recurrence; D012621:Seasons; D013997:Time Factors