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Early studies suggested that Clostridium difficile colonization in hospitalized patients actually predicted a lower risk for clinical C. difficile infection (CDI). Now, researchers have conducted a meta-analysis and systematic review to explore this issue. Nineteen prospective studies involving a total of 8725 inpatients were included in the final analysis.
The prevalence of toxinogenic C. difficile colonization at admission was 8.1% overall — and 10.0% in studies conducted in North America — with the rates increasing significantly over time. The risk for developing clinical CDI (defined as ≥3 unformed stools within 24 hours and stool-test results positive for toxinogenic C. difficile or its toxins) was 21.8% in colonized patients compared w…