697. Characteristics of Hospitalized Patients Colonized with Clostridioides difficile at an Academic Medical Center

Abstract

Abstract Background Clinical spectrum of C. difficile can range from colonization to fulminant colitis. Patients with toxin antigen negative, C. difficile nucleic acid amplification (NAAT)-positive diarrhea are frequently only colonized and do not suffer consequences of C. difficile associated disease (CDAD) but receive treatment for CDAD due to the perceived low risk of oral vancomycin vs. the risk of developing CDAD. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of hospitalized adult patients with positive C. difficile NAAT and negative toxin antigen results at University of Iowa Health Care between 9/1/2021 and 9/30/2022. Chart review was conducted to obtain patient age, immunocompromised state, involvement of infectious disease (ID) consultant, prior C. difficile test status and treatment course. Results Of the 295 NAAT-positive C. difficile results, 210 (71%) were toxin antigen negative. Patient characteristics and frequency of common risk factors are shown in Table 1. C. difficile colonization was detected ≥4 days after admission in 111 (53%), with internal medicine and stem cell transplant (SCT)/hematologic malignancies (HM) services having the most patients with colonization (31% and 18%, respectively). Antibiotic use in the prior 30 days was reported in 154 (73%). Of 134 (64%) patients on systemic antibiotics at time of C. difficile testing, antibiotics were discontinued in 29 (22%). Only 43 patients (20%) did not receive any treatment for C. difficile. Median treatment duration was 10 days with 133 (80%) being treated for 10-14 days (Table 2). ID consult was obtained in 48 (23%) and recommended no treatment initially in 11 (23%), 4 of whom were started on treatment in subsequent days. Oral twice a day vancomycin for prophylaxis was given to 28 (13%) patients, 19 (68%) of whom were immunocompromised (16 SCT/HM and 3 solid organ transplant). Conclusion Patients with C. difficile colonization have similar risk factors as patients with CDAD. Understanding treatment patterns for C. difficile colonization can guide educational activities. Most colonized patients received C. difficile treatment and/or prophylaxis, likely due to ongoing systemic antibiotic use and immunosuppression. Benefit of treatment and prophylaxis in colonized patients remains an unresolved issue. Disclosures Kelly M. Percival, PharmD, Gilead Sciences Inc: Advisor/Consultant