Thomas Blixt1, Kim Oren Gradel2, Christian Homann3, Jakob Benedict Seidelin4, Kristian Schønning5, Anne Lester6, Jette Houlind7, Marie Stangerup7, Magnus Gottlieb8, Jenny Dahl Knudsen6. 1. Department of Gastroenterology, Frederiksberg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark; Department of Gastroenterology, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address: tns@regionsjaelland.dk. 2. Center for Clinical Epidemiology, South, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Research Unit of Clinical Epidemiology, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. 3. Department of Gastroenterology, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. 4. Department of Gastroenterology, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Gastroenterology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark. 5. Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hvidovre, Denmark; Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. 6. Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hvidovre, Denmark; Infectious Control, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Infection Control, Frederiksberg Hospitals, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark. 7. Infectious Control, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Infection Control, Frederiksberg Hospitals, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark. 8. Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Nosocomial infections with Clostridium difficile present a considerable problem despite numerous attempts by health care workers to reduce risk of transmission. Asymptomatic carriers of C difficile can spread their infection to other patients. We investigated the effects of asymptomatic carriers on nosocomial C difficile infections. METHODS: We performed a population-based prospective cohort study at 2 university hospitals in Denmark, screening all patients for toxigenic C difficile in the intestine upon admittance, from October 1, 2012, to January 31, 2013. Screening results were blinded to patients, staff, and researchers. Patients were followed during their hospital stay by daily registration of wards and patient rooms. The primary outcomes were rate of C difficile infection in exposed and unexposed patients and factors associated with transmission. RESULTS: C difficile infection was detected in 2.6% of patients not exposed to carriers and in 4.6% of patients exposed to asymptomatic carriers at the ward level (odds ratio for infection if exposed to carrier, 1.79; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-2.76). Amount of exposure correlated with risk of C difficile infection, from 2.2% in the lowest quartile to 4.2% in the highest quartile of exposed patients (P = .026). Combining the load of exposure to carriers and length of stay seemed to have an additive effect on the risk of contracting C difficile. CONCLUSIONS: In a population-based prospective cohort study in Denmark, we found that asymptomatic carriers of toxigenic C difficile in hospitals increase risk of infection in other patients.
BACKGROUND & AIMS:Nosocomial infections with Clostridium difficile present a considerable problem despite numerous attempts by health care workers to reduce risk of transmission. Asymptomatic carriers of C difficile can spread their infection to other patients. We investigated the effects of asymptomatic carriers on nosocomial C difficile infections. METHODS: We performed a population-based prospective cohort study at 2 university hospitals in Denmark, screening all patients for toxigenic C difficile in the intestine upon admittance, from October 1, 2012, to January 31, 2013. Screening results were blinded to patients, staff, and researchers. Patients were followed during their hospital stay by daily registration of wards and patient rooms. The primary outcomes were rate of C difficile infection in exposed and unexposed patients and factors associated with transmission. RESULTS: C difficile infection was detected in 2.6% of patients not exposed to carriers and in 4.6% of patients exposed to asymptomatic carriers at the ward level (odds ratio for infection if exposed to carrier, 1.79; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-2.76). Amount of exposure correlated with risk of C difficile infection, from 2.2% in the lowest quartile to 4.2% in the highest quartile of exposed patients (P = .026). Combining the load of exposure to carriers and length of stay seemed to have an additive effect on the risk of contracting C difficile. CONCLUSIONS: In a population-based prospective cohort study in Denmark, we found that asymptomatic carriers of toxigenic C difficile in hospitals increase risk of infection in other patients.
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