title: Colonization versus carriage of Clostridium difficile.
abstract: Asymptomatic carriage of toxigenic strains of Clostridium difficile is common in health care facilities and the community. However, infection control efforts have traditionally focused almost entirely on symptomatic patients. There is now growing concern that asymptomatic carriers may be an underappreciated source of transmission. This article provides an overview of the pathogenesis and epidemiology of C difficile colonization, reviews the evidence that asymptomatic carriers shed spores and contribute to transmission, and examines practical issues related to prevention of transmission from carriers.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Section, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 10701 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA. Electronic address: curtisd123@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Curtis J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Donskey
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases & HIV Medicine, Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
authors.forename: Sirisha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kundrapu
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
authors.forename: Abhishek
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Deshpande
mesh_terms: D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D016360:Clostridioides difficile / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003015:Clostridium Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology; D006268:Health Facilities; D006801:Humans
keywords: Antibiotic; Clostridium difficile; Colonization; Transmission