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Karim S, Begum F, Islam A, Tarafdar MA, Begum M, Islam MJ, Malik B, Ahsan MS, Khatami A, Rashid H. Pathogens causing diarrhoea among Bangladeshi children with malignancy: Results from two pilot studies. World J Clin Cases 2020; 8:276-283. [PMID: 32047775 PMCID: PMC7000943 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v8.i2.276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diarrhoea is a frequent symptom in children with cancer, and occurs due to a composite effect of underlying disease and immunosuppression consequent to therapy, malnutrition, and non-infective aetiologies such as mucositis. In a large proportion of cases, the aetiology of diarrhoea remains unknown but is often attributed to multiple pathogens including parasites.
AIM To identify and describe the pathogens causing diarrhoea in Bangladeshi children with cancer.
METHODS Two cross-sectional pilot studies were conducted involving paediatric oncology patients with diarrhoea. Stool samples were collected from children who were hospitalised with or without being treated with chemotherapy during the study period, and had diarrhoea at any stage during their admission. In the first study, stool samples were tested by conventional microbiological methods and by polymerase chain reaction for parasites, and by immunoassays for Clostridium difficile. In the second study, conventional microbiology was conducted for bacteria and parasites including an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for Cryptosporidium antigen, and in a subset, immunoassays for Clostridium
difficile.
RESULTS In the first study Giardia lamblia was detected in 68.5% of samples, Entamoeba histolytica in 13%, Cryptosporidium in 5.6%, non-toxigenic C. difficile in 22.4%, and other bacteria in 5.2%. In the second study, E. histolytica was detected in 10% of samples, Cryptosporidium in 4.3%, G. lamblia in 1.4%, C. difficile in 5.1%, and other bacteria in 5.7% of samples.
CONCLUSION These pilot data suggest that parasites are important aetiologies of diarrhoea in Bangladeshi children with malignancy. While molecular diagnostic tools detect an array of stool pathogens with greater sensitivity, conventional diagnostic methods are also useful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabina Karim
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Ferdousi Begum
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Afiqul Islam
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Monowar Ahmad Tarafdar
- Department of Community Medicine, Z. H. Sikder Women’s Medical College, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Mamtaz Begum
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Md Johirul Islam
- Department of Cancer Epidemiology, National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Bushra Malik
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Md Shamim Ahsan
- Medical Services, Rangpur Cantonment, Rangpur 5400, Bangladesh
| | - Ameneh Khatami
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
- Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Harunor Rashid
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
- Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
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Spigaglia P, Barbanti F, Castagnola E, Diana MC, Pescetto L, Bandettini R. Clostridium difficile causing pediatric infections: New findings from a hospital-based study in Italy. Anaerobe 2017; 48:262-268. [PMID: 29066337 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2017.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Revised: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies support a change of Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs) epidemiology in pediatric patients. Since limited information is available about C. difficile in this population, we investigated the epidemiology of CDI in a large pediatric hospital that acts as reference centre in Italy and analyzed C. difficile isolates to identify the prevalent PCR-ribotypes (RTs), the binary toxin (CDT)-positive strains and the antibiotic susceptibility patterns. The CDI incidence was 6.6 cases/1000 admissions and the majority (92%) of CDI were healthcare-associated (47% occurred in the Hematology-Oncology and in the Gastroenterology units). Most of symptomatic children <3 years with a positive culture for C. difficile were negative for other gastrointestinal pathogens, supporting C. difficile as cause of disease in these patients, including those showing recurrences. Strains RT020 (16%) and RT014 (14%) were identified as the main cause of infection, while RT356/607 and RT018, predominant in Italian adult patients, were absent (RT356/607) or rarely found (RT018) among children. CDT-positive strains represented the 20% of the total number of isolates analyzed. In particular, two emerging types, RT033 and RT442, were recognized as Toxin A-/Toxin B-/CDT+. Resistance to antibiotics characterized almost 50% of the toxigenic isolates analyzed in this study and, in particular, 20% of them were multidrug resistant (MDR). The emergence and circulation of strains with peculiar toxins profiles and/or MDR strongly highlight the necessity of a rapid CDI diagnosis, a careful monitoring of C. difficile in pediatric patients and a more strict control of antibiotics usage in the Italian pediatric hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Spigaglia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| | - Fabrizio Barbanti
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Elio Castagnola
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Diana
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscle Disease Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Luisa Pescetto
- Clinical Pathology Laboratory Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Roberto Bandettini
- Clinical Pathology Laboratory Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
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Lees EA, Miyajima F, Pirmohamed M, Carrol ED. The role of Clostridium difficile in the paediatric and neonatal gut - a narrative review. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2016; 35:1047-57. [PMID: 27107991 PMCID: PMC4902830 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-016-2639-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Clostridium difficile is an important nosocomial pathogen in adults. Its significance in children is less well defined, but cases of C. difficile infection (CDI) appear to be increasingly prevalent in paediatric patients. This review aims to summarize reported Clostridium difficile carriage rates across children of different age groups, appraise the relationship between CDI and factors such as method of delivery, type of infant feed, antibiotic use, and co-morbidities, and review factors affecting the gut microbiome in children and the host immune response to C. difficile. Searches of PubMed and Google Scholar using the terms 'Clostridium difficile neonates' and 'Clostridium difficile children' were completed, and reference lists of retrieved publications screened for further papers. In total, 88 papers containing relevant data were included. There was large inter-study variation in reported C. difficile carriage rates. There was an association between CDI and recent antibiotic use, and co-morbidities such as immunosuppression and inflammatory bowel disease. C. difficile was also found in stools of children with diarrhoea attributed to other pathogens (e.g. rotavirus). The role of C. difficile in the paediatric gut remains unclear; is it an innocent bystander in diarrhoeal disease caused by other organisms, or a pathogen causing subclinical to severe symptoms? Further investigation of the development of serological and local host response to C. difficile carriage may shed new light on disease mechanisms. Work is underway on defining a framework for diagnosis and management of paediatric CDI.
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Affiliation(s)
- E A Lees
- University of Liverpool Institute of Translational Medicine, Wolfson Centre, Block A: Waterhouse Building, 1-5 Brownlow Street, Liverpool, L69 3GL, UK.
| | - F Miyajima
- University of Liverpool Institute of Translational Medicine, Wolfson Centre, Block A: Waterhouse Building, 1-5 Brownlow Street, Liverpool, L69 3GL, UK
| | - M Pirmohamed
- University of Liverpool Institute of Translational Medicine, Wolfson Centre, Block A: Waterhouse Building, 1-5 Brownlow Street, Liverpool, L69 3GL, UK
| | - E D Carrol
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, Ronald Ross Building, West Derby Street, Liverpool, L69 7BE, UK
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Upton DA. Le Clostridium difficile dans les populations d’âge pédiatrique. Paediatr Child Health 2014. [DOI: 10.1093/pch/19.1.49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Allen UD. Clostridium difficile in paediatric populations. Paediatr Child Health 2014; 19:43-54. [PMID: 24627655 PMCID: PMC3938221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
An increase in Clostridium difficile infection incidence has been observed among hospitalized children in the United States. The present statement, targeted at clinicians caring for infants and children in community and institutional settings, summarizes the relevant information relating to the role of C difficile in childhood diarrhea and provides recommendations for diagnosis, prevention and treatment. Significant differences between adult and paediatric risk factors and disease are discussed, along with emerging therapies. The relationship between age and disease severity in children with a newly emergent and more fluoroqinolone-resistant strain of C difficile (North American Pulse-field type-1 [NAP1]) remains unknown. The importance of antimicrobial stewardship as a preventive strategy is highlighted. This statement replaces a previous Canadian Paediatric Society position statement on C difficile published in 2000.
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Pant C, Deshpande A, Altaf MA, Minocha A, Sferra TJ. Clostridium difficile infection in children: a comprehensive review. Curr Med Res Opin 2013; 29:967-84. [PMID: 23659563 DOI: 10.1185/03007995.2013.803058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To provide a comprehensive review of the literature relating to Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection (CDI) in the pediatric population. METHODS Two investigators conducted independent searches of PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus until March 31st, 2013. All databases were searched using the terms 'Clostridium difficile infection', 'Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea' 'antibiotic associated diarrhea', 'C. difficile', in combination with 'pediatric' and 'paediatric'. Articles which discussed pediatric CDI were reviewed and relevant cross references also read and evaluated for inclusion. Selection bias could be a possible limitation of this approach. FINDINGS There is strong evidence for an increased incidence of pediatric CDI. Increasingly, the infection is being acquired from the community, often without a preceding history of antibiotic use. The severity of the disease has remained unchanged. Several medical conditions may be associated with the development of pediatric CDI. Infection prevention and control with antimicrobial stewardship are of paramount importance. It is important to consider the age of the child while testing for CDI. Traditional therapy with metronidazole or vancomycin remains the mainstay of treatment. Newer antibiotics such as fidaxomicin appear promising especially for the treatment of recurrent infection. Conservative surgical options may be a life-saving measure in severe or fulminant cases. CONCLUSIONS Pediatric providers should be cognizant of the increased incidence of CDI in children. Early and judicious testing coupled with the timely institution of therapy will help to secure better outcomes for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaitanya Pant
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
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Pai S, Aliyu SH, Enoch DA, Karas JA. Five years experience of Clostridium difficile infection in children at a UK tertiary hospital: proposed criteria for diagnosis and management. PLoS One 2012; 7:e51728. [PMID: 23300561 PMCID: PMC3530496 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0051728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2012] [Accepted: 11/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in adults. There is increasing evidence of the pathogenic role of C. difficile in the paediatric population. We sought to ascertain the clinical presentation and severity of CDI in children at our institution and develop criteria to aid management. Methods Clinical data was retrospectively collected from all children (0–16 yrs) with a positive C. difficile toxin result over a 5-year period. National adult guidelines were used to assess the severity and management of CDI. Results Seventy-five patients were included with a mean age of 2.97 years. Forty-nine were hospital onset, 22 community onset and 4 healthcare-associated. The most common co-morbidity among the hospital onset infections was malignancy. Gastrointestinal conditions were most common among community onset infections. Fifty-five cases (73.3%) had received antibiotics in the preceding month, 7 (9.3%) had cow’s milk intolerance and 9 (12%) had co-infection with another gut pathogen. According to national adult guidelines 57 cases (76%) were categorised as severe. Thirty cases received oral metronidazole, two patients required intensive care and one patient had a sub-total colectomy for pseudomembranous colitis. No mortality was observed. Discussion We confirm the association of paediatric CDI with co-morbidities such as haematological and solid organ malignancies, recent antibiotic use and hospitalisation. We observed an association between cows milk protein intolerance and C. difficile. The use of adult criteria overestimated severity of disease in this cohort, as most cases experienced a mild course of illness with low morbidity and no mortality. This indicates that adult scoring criteria are not useful in guiding management and we propose specific criteria for children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumita Pai
- Clinical Microbiology & Public Health Laboratory, Health Protection Agency, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Sani Hussaini Aliyu
- Clinical Microbiology & Public Health Laboratory, Health Protection Agency, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - David Andrew Enoch
- Peterborough & Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Peterborough City Hospital, Bretton Gate, Peterborough, United Kingdom
| | - Johannis Andreas Karas
- Clinical Microbiology & Public Health Laboratory, Health Protection Agency, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Khalaf N, Crews JD, DuPont HL, Koo HL. Clostridium difficile: an emerging pathogen in children. DISCOVERY MEDICINE 2012; 14:105-113. [PMID: 22935207 PMCID: PMC4737473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Clostridium difficile is emerging as an important enteric pathogen in children. Historically considered as an asymptomatic colonizer of the gastrointestinal tract, C. difficile infection (CDI) has not been well-studied in pediatric populations. While asymptomatic carriage remains high among infants, recent epidemiological surveillance has demonstrated a rise in the prevalence of CDI in both healthcare and community settings, particularly in children 1-5 years of age. The pathogenesis of pediatric CDI, including the factors underlying the absence of toxin-mediated effects among colonized infants, remains ill-defined. Studies suggest that traditional adult CDI risk factors such as antibiotic and healthcare exposure may not be as important for children who acquire CDI in the community. As recognition of the significant impact of CDI in children increases, the pressing need for deepening our understanding of this disease and identifying optimal therapeutic and preventative strategies is becoming apparent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Khalaf
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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Enoch DA, Butler MJ, Pai S, Aliyu SH, Karas JA. Clostridium difficile in children: colonisation and disease. J Infect 2011; 63:105-13. [PMID: 21664931 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2011.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2011] [Revised: 05/24/2011] [Accepted: 05/26/2011] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Clostridium difficile is the commonest cause of hospital acquired diarrhoea in adults and is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. The clinical significance of C. difficile in children, however, is less certain. In this article we discuss colonisation and infection and describe C. difficile in childhood in terms of risk factors, epidemiology and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Enoch
- Clinical Microbiology and Public Health Laboratory, Peterborough and Stamford NHS Foundation Trust, Peterborough City Hospital, Bretton Gate, Peterborough, PE3 9GZ, UK
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Daniel Stanley
- University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Chattanooga Department of Surgery, Chattanooga, Tennessee
| | - R. Phillip Burns
- University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Chattanooga Department of Surgery, Chattanooga, Tennessee
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Abstract
Three cases of Clostridium difficile-associated disease in children were detected within a short time interval. Intensive therapy was required in 2 cases with colectomy in one of them. One of the severe cases was community-acquired. Two patients had underlying diseases (Hirschprung disease, Down syndrome) and also tested positive for enteric viruses (rotavirus, calicivirus).
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Pettit PDM, Sevin BU. Intraoperative injury to the gastrointestinal tract and postoperative gastrointestinal emergencies. Clin Obstet Gynecol 2002; 45:492-506. [PMID: 12048407 DOI: 10.1097/00003081-200206000-00020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Le Clostridium difficile : pathogène ou parasite? Paediatr Child Health 2000. [DOI: 10.1093/pch/5.6.355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Simon A, Fleischhack G, Hasan C, Bode U, Engelhart S, Kramer MH. Surveillance for nosocomial and central line-related infections among pediatric hematology-oncology patients. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2000; 21:592-6. [PMID: 11001263 DOI: 10.1086/501809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence of all nosocomial infections (NIs) in pediatric hematology-oncology patients, as well as central venous access device (CVAD)-associated infections acquired during home care. DESIGN Prospective surveillance study. SETTING The Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Department at the University Hospital Bonn. PATIENTS All patients admitted from January through October 1998 (surveillance period). METHODS Standardized surveillance system based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System. RESULTS A total of 143 patients were hospitalized for 3,701 days (776 admissions) during the surveillance period. Of the 40 NIs detected, 26 were CVAD-related, with 21 bloodstream infections (BSIs) and 5 local infections. Four were Clostridium difficile-associated diarrheal illnesses, 3 were pneumonias, and 7 were other infections. The incidence of NIs was 10.8 per 1,000 patient-days (5.2 NIs/100 admissions). The overall CVAD-related BSI rate was 7.4 per 1,000 utilization days, without a significant difference between implanted infusion ports and tunneled catheters. In addition, 7 CVAD-related infections occurred during home care. All 8 BSIs associated with tunneled catheters and 13 (76%) of the 17 BSIs associated with ports were acquired nosocomially. For inpatients and outpatients combined, the exit sites of tunneled catheters were more likely to become locally infected than were the needle entry sites of ports (relative risk, 8.0; P=.007). In 30 (75%) of the 40 NIs, the affected patients had severe neutropenia (<500/mm3) at the time of infection. CONCLUSIONS Most NIs in the pediatric hematology-oncology patients were associated with CVAD devices. Although many infections in this high-risk population may not be preventable through infection control measures, the careful evaluation of specific infection rates permits the identification of risk factors that may be targeted by infection control programs. Prospective surveillance for NIs on pediatric oncology units is an indispensable tool for this internal quality control.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Simon
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of Bonn, Germany
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Clostridium difficile - Pathogen or pest? Paediatr Child Health 2000; 5:349-359. [PMID: 20177553 PMCID: PMC2819955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
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Hove H, Tvede M, Mortensen PB. Antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, Clostridium difficile, and short-chain fatty acids. Scand J Gastroenterol 1996; 31:688-93. [PMID: 8819219 DOI: 10.3109/00365529609009151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been hypothesized that Clostridium difficile and decreased colonic production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) cause the development of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. We therefore wanted to investigate the effects of an intensive and uniform antibiotic therapy on faecal SCFAs concentrations. C. difficile, and extent of diarrhoea. METHODS Fifteen liver-transplanted patients who received oral bowel flora suppression therapy (6.3 g cefuroxime, 0.6 g tobramycin, and 0.5 g nystatin three times daily) were studied for 12 days before and 12 days after discontinuation of therapy. RESULTS Thirteen of the 15 patients (87%) developed diarrhoea. Colonic fermentation was negligible in all patients, judged by very low levels of faecal SCFAs (< 10 mmol/l). Diarrhoea lessened as suppression therapy proceeded despite continuous low levels of SCFAs. Initial stool frequency of 4.1 +/- 0.6 and viscosity of 2.5 +/- 0.2 per day (on a scale of 1-3; mean +/- SE) decreased to 2.2 +/- 0.5 (p = 0.0009) and 1.6 +/- 0.2 (p = 0.003) per day, respectively, just before cessation of suppression therapy. Both SCFAs and stool habits normalized within days after discontinuation of antibiotics. Only a few samples from 2 patients were culture-positive for C. difficile during therapy, whereas 9 of the 15 patients (60%) became culture-positive (6 cytotoxin-positive) after cessation of suppression therapy at a time when none had diarrhoea. CONCLUSIONS Intensive treatment with antibiotics directed against the colonic flora resulted in diarrhoea in the vast majority of patients, but the diarrhoea was self-limiting despite continual antibiotic treatment and very low faecal concentrations of SCFAs. C. difficile was not associated with antibiotic-associated diarrhoea but was a common finding after treatment with antibiotics was stopped at the time when diarrhoea had ceased.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Hove
- Dept. of Medicine A, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
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Abstract
The spore-forming anaerobe Clostridium difficile has become a serious enteropathogen. Changes in the composition of natural intestinal flora, mainly due to antibiotic therapy, permit its colonization of, and multiplication in, the colon. The disease is caused by (entero)toxin A and (cyto)toxin B, and infection ranges from asymptomatic carrier state and mild diarrhea to pseudomembranous colitis. The clinical diagnosis is made by observing inflammatory, sometimes bloody, diarrhea and by the colonoscopic detection of epithelial necrosis, ulceration, and, in the advanced state, pseudomembrane formation. The laboratory supports the diagnosis by detecting toxin A and/or B by an enzyme-linked immunoassay with high specificity, but sometimes less sensitivity than with the cytotoxin assay in tissue culture cells. Fecal leukocytes or fecal lactoferrin may be found. Culture for the isolation and identification of toxigenic C. difficile is time consuming but necessary for epidemiological studies. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests have been tested for detection of the toxin B gene directly in stool. Therapy consists of stopping all systemic antibiotic treatment and the use of oral metronidazole or vancomycin. There may be more relapses after vancomycin therapy, and the increasing vancomycin resistance of Enterococcus is worrisome. Prevention, especially of nosocomial spread, requires isolation and enforced handwashing. For epidemiological studies, the bacteria can be typed by molecular DNA analyses, including PCR, protein electrophoresis, and immunological tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- D H Gröschel
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville 22908, USA
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