The growing incidence and severity of Clostridium difficile infection in inpatient and outpatient settings

Abstract

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a leading cause of nosocomial infections, with disease severity ranging from mild diarrhea to fulminant colitis. The incidence and severity of CDI has been on the rise over the last 10–20 years, with CDI being increasingly described outside healthcare settings and in populations previously thought to be at low risk. There has also been an increase in the morbidity, mortality and economic burden associated with CDI in the last several years. This increasing incidence and severity is thought to be at least partially due to frequent antibiotic use and the emergence of a hypervirulent C. difficile strain.

Keywords::

• Clostridium difficile infection
• colitis
• community acquired
• nosocomial

Financial & competing interests disclosure

Darrell S Pardi has received research support from ViroPharma; has participated in clinical trials sponsored by Sanofi Pasteur, Massachusetts Biologic Laboratories, Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Salix Pharmaceuticals and Genzyme Corporation; and has served as a consultant to Salix Pharmaceuticals, all related to work regarding Clostridium difficile. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.