Clostridium difficile toxin associated with chronic diarrhea and failure to gain weight

Clostridium difficile infection in children: a comprehensive review

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.

Serogrouping of Clostridium difficile strains by slide agglutination

Six different agglutinating antisera were obtained by immunizing rabbits with Formol-treated strains of Clostridium difficile. After appropriate absorption, these antisera were used to define six serogroups designated by the letters A, B, C, D, F, and G. Altogether, 315 strains of C. difficile from various origins were tested for slide agglutination by these antisera; 312 (99%) of them were agglutinated by one of these antisera. A and C were the most common serogroups. An excellent correlation, ranging from 85 to 100%, was found between the serogroup and the toxigenicity of the strains. The correlation between serogroup and sorbitol fermentation was higher, ranging from 89 to 100%. The results of this typing were compared with the clinical origin of the strains. Only strains of serogroups A, C, and D were isolated in 153 cases of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. This series included strains from three outbreaks; all the strains in two of the outbreaks belonged to serogroup C, and in the third, all the strains belonged to serogroup A. Strains of serogroups B, F, and G were only found in the stools of asymptomatic neonates or young children. In the latter samples, strains of serogroups A and D were found in the same ratio as in adults with antibiotic-associated diarrhea, but strains of serogroup C were seldom isolated. In patients treated with antineoplastic drugs and suffering from diarrhea, the distribution of the strains was the same as in cases of antibiotic-associated diarrhea.