C. difficile: Before and During an Epidemic

Ribotype 027 infections were associated with recent fluoroquinolone use and a high 30-day mortality rate.

Clostridium difficile ribotype 027, which is associated with high mortality, has caused serious outbreaks in Canada, Europe, and the U.S. Investigators at a Quebec hospital (with partial industry support) recently studied changes in ribotype prevalence, antibiotic exposure preceding C. difficile infection (CDI), clinical characteristics of such infection, and susceptibility profiles of C. difficile isolates obtained before and during an epidemic.

CDI incidence increased from an average of 11 per 1000 admissions during the pre-epidemic period (January 1999 through March 2003) to 27 per 1000 admissions during the epidemic period (April 2003 through March 2005). Ribotype 001 accounted for 84% of CDIs during the pre-epidemic period, whereas rib…

Reviewing Author

Lynn L. Estes, PharmD

Disclosures

Editorial boardsMayo Clinic Antimicrobial Therapy Quick Guide

Lynn L. Estes, PharmD

Disclosures

Editorial boardsMayo Clinic Antimicrobial Therapy Quick Guide