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Clostridium difficile infection in pregnant and postpartum women in 2 hospitals and a review of literature
- Source :
- American Journal of Infection Control. 47:e7-e14
- Publication Year :
- 2019
- Publisher :
- Elsevier BV, 2019.
-
Abstract
- Background Healthcare-associated Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in pregnant/postpartum women is underreported, especially outside of North America. We report a cluster of cases in 2 neighboring secondary care hospitals in South-East England. The objective of this study was to identify the epidemiology and risk factors for infection. Methods An investigation into a cluster of cases of confirmed CDI in pregnant/postpartum women was performed over a 12-month period, from June 2016 to June 2017. Results Eleven cases, in 10 patients, were identified, including 1 patient who had a relapse. Eight of 10 patients developed symptoms after hospital discharge. All patients had received broad-spectrum antibiotics prior to CDI onset. Environmental vectors, such as labor room mattresses, that were found difficult to effectively decontaminate after heavy contamination with blood, feces, and other body fluids may have been possible reservoirs. An infection control care bundle was successful in preventing further cases. Conclusions Antibiotic use and exposure to the organism in a contaminated labor room environment are likely risk factors for healthcare-associated CDI in postpartum women. Active surveillance is necessary to prevent these infections, as these cases often present after hospital discharge.
- Subjects :
- Adult
medicine.medical_specialty
Pediatrics
Epidemiology
medicine.drug_class
Antibiotics
Disease cluster
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
Pregnancy
Recurrence
Risk Factors
medicine
Hospital discharge
Cluster Analysis
Humans
Infection control
030212 general & internal medicine
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious
Feces
Cross Infection
0303 health sciences
030306 microbiology
business.industry
Health Policy
Postpartum Period
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Environmental Exposure
Clostridium difficile
medicine.disease
Hospitals
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Infectious Diseases
England
Clostridium Infections
Female
business
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 01966553
- Volume :
- 47
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- American Journal of Infection Control
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....94bfee7e748c6f8ac71f5345dfd69001