Community-associated Clostridioides difficile infection in a general hospital from Argentina

Abstract

Toxin-producing Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is the leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea. However, it is now recognized as a cause of diarrhea in the community. This single-center study aimed to determine the epidemiological origin of CDI cases between January 2014 and December 2019 and to compare demographic characteristics, comorbidities, risk factors, severity, and mortality of community CDI with healthcare facility-associated CDI. There were 52 CDI cases from the community (34.4%). Community patients were significantly younger (53 yo vs. 65 yo), less comorbid (Charlson Index 1.65 vs. 3.98), and less severe (only one case). The main risk factor was the use of antibiotics in the previous 90 days (65%). However, we did not find any known risk factor in 7 patients.

Keywords: Antibiotics; Clostridioides difficile; Community-associated; Risk factors.