Surveillance of Clostridium difficile infection during the period 2008-2009 in Rho hospital

Clostridium difficile is a Gram positive bacillus, anaerobic, sporogenous, with oro-faecal transmission. The formation of the spores can persist in a long time, encouraging the transmission. Diarrhoea is the most common symptom but abdominal pain and fever may also occur. The most common risk factors are: use of broad spectrum antibiotics, medications, advanced age and chemotherapy. The probability of contracting an infection is proportional to the duration of hospitalization in patients infected. It is important to practice good hygiene in order to reduce the risk because the hospital staff is the principal vehicle of transmission. From January 2008 up to December 2009 we examined a total amount of 532 samples. Our results showed during the year 2008, 48 positive on 293 samples (16.4%) and during the year 2009, 27 positive on 239 ones (11.3%).