Asymptomatic Carriers of C. difficile Increase Risk for Infection in Other Patients

Both endemic and epidemic risk for hospital-acquired Clostridium difficile infection is well recognized. Whether asymptomatic carriers of toxigenic C. difficile contribute to nosocomial infections is uncertain.

To address this issue, investigators in Denmark conducted a population-based prospective cohort study involving 4508 patients admitted to two university hospitals during a 4-month period. About 80% had rectal swabs for toxigenic C. difficile. All patients were followed in the hospital and after discharge for development of C. difficile infection. Most rooms on the wards had 2, 3, or 4 beds.

Asymptomatic carriers of toxigenic C. difficile were more likely than noncarriers to develop clinical C. difficile infection (odds ratio, 4.64). Th…