Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Sequelae of Asymptomatic Clostridioides difficile Colonization in Children with Cystic Fibrosis

J Cyst Fibros. 2023 Sep;22(5):884-887. doi: 10.1016/j.jcf.2022.12.014. Epub 2022 Dec 28.

Abstract

Patients with CF (pwCF) have high antibiotic use and an altered intestinal microbiome, known risk factors for infection with Clostridioides difficile. However, in adults with CF, C. difficile infection (CDI) is uncommon and asymptomatic colonization with C. difficile occurs frequently, for reasons that remain unclear. We investigated the rate, risk factors, and sequelae of asymptomatic C. difficile colonization in children with CF (cwCF). We identified that 32% of cwCF were colonized with C. difficile without acute gastrointestinal symptoms. Higher BMI and exposure to specific antibiotic classes (cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, and vancomycin) were significantly associated with C. difficile colonization. No children developed symptomatic CDI in 90-days following enrollment.

Keywords: Clostridioides difficile; Colonization; Cystic fibrosis; Infection; Pediatrics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Asymptomatic Infections / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Clostridioides
  • Clostridioides difficile*
  • Clostridium Infections* / diagnosis
  • Clostridium Infections* / epidemiology
  • Clostridium Infections* / etiology
  • Cystic Fibrosis* / complications
  • Cystic Fibrosis* / epidemiology
  • Disease Progression
  • Humans
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents