title: Tea and Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection.
abstract: Background and Aims. Studies have shown effects of diet on gut microbiota. We aimed to identify foods associated with recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Methods. In this cross-sectional survey, consecutive patients diagnosed with CDI were identified by electronic medical records. Colitis symptoms and positive Clostridium difficile assay were confirmed. Health-care onset-health-care facility associated CDI was excluded. Food surveys were mailed to 411 patients. Survey responses served as the primary outcome measure. Spearman's rank correlation identified risk factors for CDI recurrence. Results. Surveys were returned by 68 patients. Nineteen patients experienced CDI recurrence. Compared to patients without CDI recurrence, patients with CDI recurrence had more antibiotics prescribed preceding their infection (p = 0.003). Greater numbers of the latter also listed tea (p = 0.002), coffee (p = 0.013), and eggs (p = 0.013), on their 24-hour food recall. Logistic regression identified tea as the only food risk factor for CDI recurrence (adjusted OR: 5.71; 95% CI: 1.26-25.89). Conclusion. The present results indicate a possible association between tea and CDI recurrence. Additional studies are needed to characterize and confirm this association.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Novosel Aviation Clinic, Fort Riley, KS, USA.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-2513-8607
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oman Evans Ii
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, St. Luke's Clinic, Twin Falls, ID, USA.
authors.forename: Brad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Starley
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, San Antonio Military Medical Center, San Antonio, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Jack Carl
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Galagan
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, San Antonio Military Medical Center, San Antonio, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph Michael
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Yabes
authors.affiliation: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Larkin Community Hospital, South Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.affiliation: Novosel Aviation Clinic, Fort Riley, KS, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph John
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3462-9053
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Salama