29
INFECTION
PREVENTION
/
HAND
HYGIENE
Researchers Debunk Myth About the
Most Severe C. Diff Strain
By Shannon Barnet
R
esearchers recently conducted a multicenter
observational cohort study to examine the
condition severity and the clinical outcomes of
patients with different Clostridium difficile strains.
e results of the study were published by the
Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.
e study — which used data from more than
700 patients at seven hospitals in the Houston
area — found that no single genetic strain of
the C. diff bacteria is any more harmful than
other strains. ese findings contradict previous
research that suggested the most severe C. diff
infections could be linked with a particular strain
known as Ribotype 027, or R027.
"Clinical severity markers of CDI, such
as white blood cell count and albumin level,
a protein in blood, are more important
predictors of severe outcomes than any specific
strain, especially in hospitals with no single
predominant strain," said lead author of the study
Samuel L. Aitken, PharmD.
Despite the findings, Dr. Aitken maintains
that strain typing is still a valuable source of
information for tracking the emergence of
different strains and for potentially influencing
treatment decisions. n
700
over
patients
surveyed
from
7
hospitals
in the Houston
area
red blood cell count
& albumin level are
more important
predictors of
severe outcomes
