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Background There is limited knowledge about risk factors for Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) and recurrent CDI in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. Methods A case-control study of CDI in SOT recipients compared with controls (SOT recipients who did not present CDI). Results Sixty-seven patients from 1089 SOT recipients (6.2%) suffered at least one episode of CDI. The mean age was 55 ± 12 years and 20 cases (69%) were men. The accumulated incidence was 8% in liver transplantation, 6.2% in lung transplantation, 5.4% in heart transplantation, and 4.7% in kidney transplantation. Twenty-nine cases (43.3%) were diagnosed during the first 3 months after SOT. Forty-one cases (61.2%) were hospital acquired. Thirty-one patients with CDI presented with mild-moderate infection (46.3%), 30 patients with severe infection (44.8%), and 6 patients with severe-complicated disease (9%). Independent variables found to be related with CDI were hospitalization in the previous 3 months (odds ratio: 2.99; [95% confidence interval 1.21-7.37]) and the use of quinolones in the previous month (odds ratio: 3.71 [95% confidence interval 1.16-11.8]). Eleven patients (16.4%) had at least one recurrence of CDI. Previous treatment with amoxicillin-clavulanate, severe-complicated index episode, and high serum creatinine were associated with recurrent CDI in the univariant analysis Conclusions Liver transplant recipients presented the highest incidence of CDI among SOT recipients. Risk factors for CDI were hospitalization in the previous 3 months and the use of quinolones in the previous month.

Background Determination of the humoral response to Clostridioides difficile (CD) toxins could be of great value in the management of patients with CD infection (CDI). Methods A prospective study was conducted on the clinical characteristics and humoral response in patients with CDI. Determination of ELISA IgG CD anti-toxin B (tgcBiomics, Germany) was performed. The following dilutions were planned for each patient, 1:100, 1: 200, 1: 400, 1: 800: 1: 1600. A significant concentration of antibody was considered to be present in each dilution if an optical density 0.2 units higher than the negative control of the technique was evident. Results Eighty-five patients were included during the study period, November 2018-February 2020. The median age was 73 years (interquartile range: 62.5-85 years), with female predominance (45 patients, 52.9%). Thirty-nine patients (45.9%) had a severe infection. Seven patients (8.2%) had suffered an episode of CDI in the previous three months. Seventeen patients (20%) had one or more recurrent episodes during the three-month follow-up: No patient died during admission or required surgery for severe-complicated infection. The incidence of recurrence in patients with no antibody detected at 1:400 dilution was 25.4% (16 patients) while it was 4.3% (one patient) in patients with antibody present at that dilution (p = 0.03). Liver cirrhosis was associated with higher humoral response against CD. Conclusions Antibodies IgG CD anti-toxin B detection at a dilution of 1:400, using a B ELISA technique, effectively identified patients at increased risk of recurrence. This information could help assist in the management of patients.

Background: Clinical features of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) cases diagnosed by detection of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), with negative toxin enzyme immunoassay results (EIA) have not been fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to determine the magnitude of CDI patients who had negative EIA toxin determinations but positive PCR tests, and their differences in clinical presentation. Methods: We performed a retrospective study comparing the clinical features of CDI cases detected by EIA (toxins A + B) with cases detected by PCR (toxin negative, PCR positive) over a 16-month period. Only patients with an initial Clostridium difficile infection episode that fulfilled a standardized definition were included. Results: During the study period, 107 episodes of CDI were detected. Seventy-four patients (69%) had positive glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) antigen and EIA determinations (EIA positive patients). Thirty-three patients (31%) had GDH positive, negative toxin EIA and positive PCR determination (PCR positive patients). PCR positive patients were younger, 57 (27) years (mean [SD]), than EIA positive patients, 71 (16) years, (p < 0.001). Fewer PCR positive patients were receiving proton pump inhibitors (21 patients, 64%) than EIA positive patients (61 patients, 82%, p = 0.034). The clinical presentation was similar in both groups. In the multivariate analysis, lower age was identified as the only independent variable associated with PCR positive patients. Conclusions: One third of Clostridium difficile infection patients present negative toxin EIA and PCR positive tests. Performing PCR determination after the negative EIA test is more relevant in younger patients.