scholarly journals Clostridium difficile colonization among patients with clinically significant diarrhea and no identifiable cause of diarrhea

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (11) ◽  
pp. 1330-1333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik R. Dubberke ◽  
Kimberly A. Reske ◽  
Tiffany Hink ◽  
Jennie H. Kwon ◽  
Candice Cass ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clostridium Difficile ◽  
Patient Population ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Clinical Microbiology Laboratory ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Toxigenic Culture ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Stool Specimens ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Culture Negative

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of Clostridium difficile colonization among patients who meet the 2017 IDSA/SHEA C. difficile infection (CDI) Clinical Guideline Update criteria for the preferred patient population for C. difficile testing.DesignRetrospective cohort.SettingTertiary-care hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.PatientsPatients whose diarrheal stool samples were submitted to the hospital’s clinical microbiology laboratory for C. difficile testing (toxin EIA) from August 2014 to September 2016.InterventionsElectronic and manual chart review were used to determine whether patients tested for C. difficile toxin had clinically significant diarrhea and/or any alternate cause for diarrhea. Toxigenic C. difficile culture was performed on all stool specimens from patients with clinically significant diarrhea and no known alternate cause for their diarrhea.ResultsA total of 8,931 patients with stool specimens submitted were evaluated: 570 stool specimens were EIA positive (+) and 8,361 stool specimens were EIA negative (−). Among the EIA+stool specimens, 107 (19% of total) were deemed eligible for culture. Among the EIA− stool specimens, 515 (6%) were eligible for culture. One EIA+stool specimen (1%) was toxigenic culture negative. Among the EIA− stool specimens that underwent culture, toxigenic C. difficile was isolated from 63 (12%).ConclusionsMost patients tested for C. difficile do not have clinically significant diarrhea and/or potential alternate causes for diarrhea. The prevalence of toxigenic C. difficile colonization among EIA− patients who met the IDSA/SHEA CDI guideline criteria for preferred patient population for C. difficile testing was 12%.

scholarly journals Etiology of Infectious Diarrhea in Patients Tested for Clostridium difficile: If It Isn’t Clostridium difficile, What Is It?

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S2-S2
Author(s):  
Jennie H Kwon ◽  
Tiffany Hink ◽  
Kimberly Reske ◽  
Erik R Dubberke ◽  
Carey-Ann D Burnham
Keyword(s):  
Clostridium Difficile ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Agar Plate ◽  
Stool Culture ◽  
Blood Agar Plate ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Toxigenic Culture ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Research Grant

Abstract Background The objective of the study was to assay for alternative infectious causes of diarrhea in patients with negative EIA tests for Clostridium difficile. Methods A hard-stop alert was implemented at a tertiary care hospital to limit repeat testing for C. difficile within 96 hours of an initial negative EIA. Stool samples from patients with a negative (–) repeat EIA test for C. difficile within 96 hours in the 3 months pre- and postintervention underwent further evaluation: C. difficile toxigenic culture, GeneXpert C. difficile PCR, Biofire Gastrointestinal (GI) Panel, and culture on a blood agar plate. Results Of the 84 C. difficile EIA stool specimens evaluated, 8% were toxigenic culture positive (+), 8% tested + for C. difficile via the Biofire GI panel, and 5 (7%) + with the GenXpert C. difficile PCR (Table 1). Three of these patients were diagnosed with CDI within 30 days of a + test. Five patients were + for Norovirus via Biofire GI panel; none were tested for or diagnosed with Norovirus. Two patients were + for Enteropathogenic E. coli and one for Enteroaggregative E. coli via Biofire GI panel; none were tested for or diagnosed with E. coli infection. One patient was positive for Salmonella and Salmonella was isolated by stool culture. Conclusion Patients tested for C. difficile may have alternate causes of diarrhea. When evaluating hospitalized patients with diarrhea, C. difficile, along with alternate causes of diarrhea can be considered. Disclosures E. R. Dubberke, Merck: Consultant, Consulting fee; Biofire: one time talk, Speaker honorarium;; Alere: one-time talk, Speaker honorarium; Sanofi pasteur: Grant Investigator, Grant recipient; Pfizer: Consultant, Consulting fee; Rebiotix: Investigator, Research support; Rebiotix: Consultant, Consulting fee; valneva: Consultant, Consulting fee; C. A. D. Burnham, bioMerieux: Grant Investigator, Research grant; ThermoFisher: Consultant, Salary; Cepheid: Grant Investigator, Research grant

scholarly journals Effectiveness of a Two-Step Testing Algorithm for Reliable and Cost-Effective Detection of Clostridium difficile Infection in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Saudi Arabia

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 6
Author(s):  
Mohammed Qutub ◽  
Prasanth Govindan ◽  
Anupama Vattappillil
Keyword(s):  
Clostridium Difficile ◽  
Clostridium Difficile Infection ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Step Algorithm ◽  
Testing Algorithm ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Pcr Test

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a two-step algorithm for the detection of Clostridium difficile infection. Setting and Design: A two-step testing algorithm was evaluated for testing stool samples from patients suspected of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). A total of 103 stool specimens were tested using the C. diff Quik Chek Complete enzyme immunoassay (EIA) test and the Xpert C. difficile PCR test. A two-step algorithm was implemented, and data from 3518 patient samples tested during a two-year period after implementation were analyzed to evaluate the effectiveness. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) of the Quik Chek Complete EIA test were calculated using the Xpert C. difficile PCR test as a reference method. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of the Quik Chek Complete EIA test for C. difficile toxin were 46.7%, 100%, 100%, and 91%, respectively. The two-step algorithm, which combined the Quik Chek Complete EIA with Xpert C. difficile PCR, improved the sensitivity and also provided rapid detection. When algorithm-based testing was performed daily, there was a 66% reduction in turnaround time compared to batch testing using a lengthy ELISA procedure. Postimplementation data analysis showed that almost 89% of the samples could be reported immediately by initial screening with Quik Chek Complete EIA. Only 11% of the samples gave discrepant results and required PCR confirmation. According to our results, the two-step algorithm is an effective tool for the rapid and reliable detection of toxigenic C. difficile from stool samples.

scholarly journals Searching for a Potential Algorithm for Clostridium difficile Testing at a Tertiary Care Hospital: Does Toxin Enzyme Immunoassay Testing Help?

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (7) ◽  
pp. e00415-18
Author(s):  
Angela M. Theiss ◽  
Agnes Balla ◽  
Angie Ross ◽  
Denise Francis ◽  
Christina Wojewoda
Keyword(s):  
Clostridium Difficile ◽  
Clinical Management ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
The United States ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Molecular Tests ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Testing Algorithm

ABSTRACT Clostridium difficile is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in the United States. Methods for identifying the organism in stool include molecular platforms, enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for toxin, and culture. Controversy persists over whether molecular tests are too sensitive at identifying C. difficile, and there are questions about how additional laboratory information could inform clinical management and reduce over treatment. The aim of this study was to assess whether clinical factors are related to the toxin status of patients and whether information about toxin status could potentially inform clinical management of patients. A total of 201 PCR-positive C. difficile stool samples from adult patients at our institution underwent EIA toxin testing. Clinical and laboratory data were collected, and the percentage of PCR-positive/EIA-positive (PCR+/EIA+) patients and PCR+ and EIA-negative (PCR+/EIA−) patients was calculated. Of the 201 samples, 47% were EIA positive and 53% were EIA negative. Although PCR+/EIA+ patients were more likely to have had a prior C. difficile infection (P = 0.015), there was no statistical difference between the additional data collected that correlated with a positive EIA result. We were unable to show that patients with an EIA+ result had worse clinical parameters than those with EIA− results and concluded that establishing a testing algorithm that included both PCR and EIA testing would not change the clinical management of patients at our hospital.

scholarly journals Risk Factors for Acquisition and Loss of Clostridium difficile Colonization in Hospitalized Patients

2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (8) ◽  
pp. 4533-4543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik R. Dubberke ◽  
Kimberly A. Reske ◽  
Sondra Seiler ◽  
Tiffany Hink ◽  
Jennie H. Kwon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Clostridium Difficile ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Hospitalized Patients ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Content Acquisition ◽  
Stool Samples

ABSTRACTAsymptomatic colonization may contribute toClostridium difficiletransmission. Few data identify which patients are at risk for colonization. We performed a prospective cohort study ofC. difficilecolonization and risk factors forC. difficileacquisition and loss in hospitalized patients. Patients admitted to medical or surgical wards at a tertiary care hospital were enrolled; interviews and chart review were performed to determine patient demographics,C. difficileinfection (CDI) history, medications, and health care exposures. Stool samples/rectal swabs were collected at enrollment and discharge; stool samples from clinical laboratory tests were also included. Samples were cultured forC. difficile, and the isolates were tested for toxins A and B and ribotyped. Chi-square tests and univariate logistic regression were used for the analyses. Two hundred thirty-five patients were enrolled. Of the patients, 21% were colonized withC. difficile(toxigenic and nontoxigenic) at admission and 24% at discharge. Ribotype 027 accounted for 6% of the strains at admission and 12% at discharge. Of the patients colonized at admission, 78% were also colonized at discharge. Cephalosporin use was associated withC. difficileacquisition (47% of patients who acquiredC. difficileversus 25% of patients who did not;P= 0.03). β-lactam–β-lactamase inhibitor combinations were associated with a loss ofC. difficilecolonization (36% of patients who lostC. difficilecolonization versus 8% of patients colonized at both admission and discharge;P= 0.04), as was metronidazole (27% versus 3%;P= 0.03). Antibiotic use affects the epidemiology of asymptomaticC. difficilecolonization, including acquisition and loss, and it requires additional study.

Rising Economic Impact of Clostridium difficile-Associated Disease in Adult Hospitalized Patient Population

2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (9) ◽  
pp. 823-828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoyan Song ◽  
John G Bartlett ◽  
Kathleen Speck ◽  
April Naegeli ◽  
Karen Carroll ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Clostridium Difficile ◽  
Economic Burden ◽  
Excess Mortality ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Severity Of Illness ◽  
Adult Patients ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Course Of Illness

Background.Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) is responsible for increased morbidity and a substantial economic burden. Incidences of CDAD, including those with a severe course of illness, have been increasing rapidly.Objective.To evaluate the excess mortality, increased length of stay (LOS) in the hospital, and additional costs associated with CDAD.Design.A retrospective matched cohort study.Patients.Adult patients admitted to a large tertiary care hospital between January 2000 and October 2005.Methods.Adult patients were tested with a C. difficile laboratory assay at admission or 72 hours after admission. Infected patients had lor more positive assay results and were individually matched to 1 uninfected patient who had negative assay results, by exposure time, age, ward, and at least 2 measurements for comorbidity and severity of illness.Results.The incidence rate of CDAD among adult patients increased from 0.57 cases per 1,000 patient-days at risk before 2004 to 0.88 cases per 1,000 patient-days at risk after 2004 (P < .001). The 630 infected patients had a mortality rate of 11.9%; the 630 uninfected patients had a mortality rate of 15.1% (P = .02). After adjustment in the multivariate analysis, we found that the LOS for infected patients was 4 days longer than that for uninfected patients (P < .001). If CDAD occurred after 2004, the additional LOS increased to 5.5 days. The direct cost associated with CDAD was $306 per case; after year 2004, it increased to $6,326 per case.Conclusions.There may be no excess mortality among patients with CDAD, compared with patients without it, but the economic burden of CDAD is increasing. By 2004, CDAD-associated medical expenditures approached $1,000,000 per year at our institution alone.

Epidemiology of Clostridium difficile infection in Portugal: Experience at a tertiary care hospital

2019 ◽  
Vol 60 ◽  
pp. e11-e13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Sintra ◽  
Filipe Taveira ◽  
Catarina Canha ◽  
Armando Carvalho ◽  
Adélia Simão
Keyword(s):  
Clostridium Difficile ◽  
Clostridium Difficile Infection ◽  
Tertiary Care Hospital ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Care Hospital

scholarly journals Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii Complex Isolated from Sputum in a Tertiary Care Hospital

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 59-62
Author(s):  
Jyotshna Sapkota ◽  
Manisha Sharma ◽  
Deepti Shrestha ◽  
Beena Jha
Keyword(s):  
Multidrug Resistance ◽  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Acinetobacter Calcoaceticus ◽  
Clinical Microbiology Laboratory ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Sputum Specimen ◽  
Susceptibility Pattern ◽  
Acinetobacter Species ◽  
Acinetobacter Baumannii Complex

Introduction Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumanni (ACB) complex is one of the commonest cause of hospital acquired and ventilator associated pneumonia. Multidrug resistant Acinetobacter species have become a matter of huge concern. This study was done to find out the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumanii complex from sputum samples. MethodsThis descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in Clinical Microbiology laboratory from July 2018 to Jan 2019 after ethical approval. Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii complex was identified on the basis of its microscopy and morphological characteristics followed by biochemical tests. Antibiotic sensitivity test of isolated pathogens was done using Muller Hinton Agar by Kirby-Bauer method. ResultsOf the 384 culture positive sputum specimen, 76 (19.80%) were Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii complex. Most of the isolates were resistant to commonly used antibiotics, 72.36% of the isolates were multidrug resistance and 3.95% isolates were resistant to tigecycline. ConclusionThis study provides valuable information regarding prevalence of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii complex from sputum specimen. The alarming number of Multidrug resistance isolates is worrisome finding. Antibiotics like Tigecycline and Colistin which is still sensitive to isolates should be cautiously used only in MDR cases.

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