A prospective study of community-associated Clostridium difficileinfections: The role of antibiotics and co-infections.

Objectives This prospective study was performed to determine the incidence, risk factors, severity and outcomes of community-associated Clostridium difficile infection (CA-CDI) in the SE of Scotland. Methods All patients (335) diagnosed with laboratory confirmed CDI in the city of Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian regions of Scotland between August 2010 and July 2011 were followed up for one year after diagnosis. Clinical details and laboratory markers were recorded. Stool samples were tested for C. difficile, other bacterial pathogens and norovirus. Molecular epidemiology of C. difficile isolates was studied by PCR-ribotyping. Objectives This prospective study was performed to determine the incidence, risk factors, severity and outcomes of community-associated Clostridium difficile infection (CA-CDI) in the SE of Scotland. Methods All patients (335) diagnosed with laboratory confirmed CDI in the city of Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian regions of Scotland between August 2010 and July 2011 were followed up for one year after diagnosis. Clinical details and laboratory markers were recorded. Stool samples were tested for C. difficile, other bacterial pathogens and norovirus. Molecular epidemiology of C. difficile isolates was studied by PCR-ribotyping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]