Abstract
The incidence and clinical background characteristics of Clostridium difficile (CD) infection were investigated. The subjects were 103 patients who tested positive for fecal toxin among those who developed fever and diarrhea while on antibiotic therapy during a 2-year, 3-month period. The incidence of CD toxin detection was 72.5 cases per 100,000 patient-days. Their mean age was 83.4 years, there were 13 deaths (12.6%), and recurrence was observed in 16 patients (15.5%). The incidence among patients undergoing continuous infusion of ≥2 antibiotics over a long period was 48.6 cases per 100,000 patient-days, whereas the incidence among patients undergoing other methods of administration was 23.9 cases per 100,000 patient-days; there was a higher incidence with long-term use of multiple antibiotics. In terms of clinical background characteristics, the largest group of patients consisted of 84 (81.6%) patients who were on prolonged bed rest. Of the 103 patients, endoscopic comparisons were performed in 30 cases, and signs were evident in 21 cases (70.0%). Based on these findings, our hospital has a comparatively high incidence of CD, possibly due to prolonged bed rest and long-term use of multiple antibiotics. Endoscopy is useful for definitive diagnosis.
