Decline in Clostridium difficile-associated disease rates in Singapore public hospitals, 2006 to 2008.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Clostridium difficile is the major cause of pseudomembranous colitis associated with antibiotic use, and the spread of the hypervirulent epidemic ribotype 027/NAP-1 strain across hospitals worldwide has re-focused attention on this nosocomial pathogen. The overall incidence and trend of C. difficile-associated disease (CDAD) in Singapore is unknown, and a surveillance program to determine these via formal laboratory-based reporting was established.

Findings

Laboratory and pharmacy data were collated from one tertiary and two secondary hospitals on a quarterly basis between 2006 and 2008. All hospitals tested for C. difficile using Immunocard Toxins A&B (Meridian Bioscience Inc., Cincinnati, OH) during this period. Duplicate positive C. difficile results within a 1

SUBMITTER: Hsu LY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3068971 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature