Nosocomial epidemiology and transmission of Clostridium difficile infection

Background: Clostridium difficile is of growing importance as a hospital-ac quired pathogen. Pseudomembraneous colitis is the main clinical disease. Tr ansmission and epidemiological features are not yet fully understood. Patients and methods: Stool samples from 1164 individuals (571 women and 59 3 men) attending were examined for the presence of C. difficile. Follow-up examinations and molecular typing methods were used for the detection nosoc omial transmissions. Additionally, hospital-borne environmental samples as well as staff samples were tested. Results: Incidence of C. difficile infection was 8,4%. Nearly all patients (92,9%) had antibiotics given. Using molecular typing nosocomial transmissi on was evident. Though, envrionmental samples in general had a low positivi ty, toilet chairs were contaminated in 15.4% and may be a potential source of transmission. Staff was positive in only one case. Conclusions: Prevention of infections with C. difficile becomes to be a mai or threat for the clinical and hygienic management.