CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE EPIDEMIC OUTBREAK IN AN ONCOLOGY UNIT

Authors

  • L. MIRON Regional Institute of Oncology, Iasi
  • Raluca FILIMON Regional Institute of Oncology, Iasi
  • F. D. PETRARIU University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa" - Iasi
  • Mioara Calipsoana MATEI University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa" - Iasi

Keywords:

CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE, NOSOCOMIAL INFECTION, ONCOLOGY, EPIDEMIC OUTBREAK.

Abstract

Aims: Contributions to the knowledge of some peculiarities of C. difficile involvement in human pathology, nosocomial infections (NI) included. Material and methods: This clinico-epidemiological and laboratory study included 14 patients admitted to the Medical Clinic of the Iasi Regional Cancer Institute with the diagnosis of C. difficile NI based on detection of toxins A and B in stool samples. The data were assessed and interpreted using an algorithm which revealed the peculiarities of C. difficile NI outbreak occurrence and evolution. Results: Of the 14 cases included in the study, 5 (35.8 %) had community-onset infections and 9 (64.3 %) oncology unit-onset infections. The average hospital stay was 22 days. Immunocompromised condition and the use of antibiotics in the ciprofloxacin, colistin and cefotaxime group for 4 - 10 days were the main risk factors. Conclusions: This epidemic C. difficile NI outbreak which affected immunocompromised patients with high susceptibility to infection, common finding in oncology care was brought under control by active preventive measures associated with concomitant antimicrobial therapy effective in C. difficile infections.

Author Biographies

  • L. MIRON, Regional Institute of Oncology, Iasi

    Internal Medicine of Oncology Clinic

  • Raluca FILIMON, Regional Institute of Oncology, Iasi

    Department of Nosocomial Infections Control and Prevention

  • F. D. PETRARIU, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa" - Iasi

    Faculty of Medicine
    Discipline of Hygiene-Environmental Health

  • Mioara Calipsoana MATEI, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa" - Iasi

    Faculty of Medicine
    Discipline of Primary Health Care and Epidemiology

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Additional Files

Published

2018-05-16

Issue

Vol. 118 No. 1 (2014): The Medical-Surgical Journal

Section

PREVENTIVE MEDICINE - LABORATORY

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