Clostridium difficile Infection in the U.S.

Survey data suggest that the burden of CDI may be higher than previously projected.

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a costly disease with frequent recurrences and increased mortality in some patient groups. To enhance our understanding of the epidemiology of CDI in the U.S., the CDC conducted active surveillance at 10 representative sites (total population, ~11.2 million) in 2011.

The investigators identified all positive C. difficile toxin or molecular assay results at 88 inpatient and 33 outpatient laboratories serving surveillance-area residents. They also gathered information on the patients' demographic characteristics and healthcare exposures and the locations of specimen collection. Using data from these sites, they built models to project the national burden of CDI.

Nationwide, an estimated 453,000 (95% conf…

Reviewing Author

Larry M. Baddour, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate, Inc. (Authorship duties)

Larry M. Baddour, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate, Inc. (Authorship duties)

Clostridium difficile Infection in the U.S.

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Reviewing Author