<em>Clostridium difficile</em> infection: an update for infection control practitioners

Clostridium difficile is a common healthcare-associated infection that causes significant patient morbidity and mortality, as well as adding to the cost of healthcare. Almost all cases follow the use of antibiotics, and the major reservoir of infection is infected patients in hospitals or long-term care facilities. The emergence of a novel strain of C. difficile (NAP1/BI/027) around the world has been associated with increased frequency, severity and relapse of C. difficile disease. Principles of C. difficile prevention include antibiotic stewardship, monitoring of incidence and outbreaks, appropriate use of contact precautions, accurate identification of infected patients, consistent hand hygiene and improved environmental cleaning. A variety of surveillance systems and definitions have been used to monitor infection rates. Recently published internationally recognised recommendations and definitions support implementation of an appropriate surveillance program in Australia, endorsed by the Australian Health Ministers Conference in 2008.

艰难梭菌是一种常见的医疗相关感染，它会导致患者显著的发病率和死亡率，并增加医疗成本。几乎所有病例都发生在使用抗生素之后，感染的主要源头是医院或长期护理机构中的感染患者。一种新型艰难梭菌菌株（NAP1/BI/027）在全球的出现与艰难梭菌疾病的发病频率增加、病情加重以及复发有关。艰难梭菌的预防原则包括合理使用抗生素、监测发病率和疫情、恰当使用接触预防措施、准确识别感染患者、始终保持手部卫生以及改善环境清洁。多种监测系统和定义已被用于监测感染率。最近发布的国际公认的建议和定义支持在澳大利亚实施适当的监测计划，该计划于2008年得到澳大利亚卫生部长会议的认可。