Investigation of a cluster of Clostridium difficile infections in a pediatric oncology setting.

ABSTRACT:

Background

We investigated an increase in Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) among pediatric oncology patients.

Methods

CDI cases were defined as first C difficile positive stool tests between December 1, 2010, and September 6, 2012, in pediatric oncology patients receiving inpatient or outpatient care at a single hospital. A case-control study was performed to identify CDI risk factors, infection prevention and antimicrobial prescribing practices were assessed, and environmental sampling was conducted. Available isolates were strain-typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

Results

An increase in hospital-onset CDI cases was observed from June-August 2012. Independent risk factors for CDI included hospitalization in the bone marrow transplant ward and exposure to

SUBMITTER: Dantes R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9609591 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature