Abstract
Background/ RationaleClostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is transmitted via the fecal-oral route and is implicated in antibiotic-associated colitis. Similar to CDI, patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) require early identification and isolation, appropriate personal protective equipment, and environmental disinfection to prevent further transmission. In light of this similarity between isolation and protective requirements to prevent transmission of these diseases, we aim to investigate whether there was a decrease in the incidence of CDI during the peak periods of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to historical rates.MethodsThis is a single-center retrospective analysis of the rates of CDI in our institution. COVID-19 time periods were identified from March 2020 to January 2021 and peak periods (with >50 active patients per day) were defined. The non-COVID-19 periods were July 2017 to February 2020. Rates of CDI were also directly compared across the yearly time period. CDI rates were presented in a per 1000 patient days format. Rates were analyzed per year and during the COVID-19 peaks at our institution. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare rates between two time periods, while differences across multiple time intervals were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test.ResultsThe median (interquartile range [IQR]) of CDI rates of infection per 1000 patient days for the non-COVID time period from July 2017 to February 2020 was 0.34 (0.23-0.45) while COVID time periods had higher 0.44 (0.25-0.51) rates of CDI although this was not statistically significant (p=0.224). However, there was a statistically significant difference (p=0.036) with COVID peak periods having higher rates of CDI 0.49(0.39-0.74) vs 0.34(0.23-0.44). Overall, there was no statistically significant difference in the rates of CDI across years or time periods (p=0.396).Discussion/ConclusionThere was no difference in the rates of hospital-acquired CDI between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 time periods at our institution.
Highlights
There have been 237 million cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and over 4 million deaths [1]
Similar to Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) require early identification and isolation, appropriate personal protective equipment, and environmental disinfection to prevent further transmission. In light of this similarity between isolation and protective requirements to prevent transmission of these diseases, we aim to investigate whether there was a decrease in the incidence of CDI during the peak periods of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to historical rates
Patients with COVID-19 require early identification and isolation, appropriate protective equipment (PPE), and environmental disinfection to prevent further transmission. These measures are required for prevention of nosocomial CDI. Considering this similarity between isolation and protective requirements to prevent transmission of these diseases, we aim to investigate whether there was a decrease in the incidence of CDI during the peak periods of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to historical rates
Summary
There have been 237 million cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and over 4 million deaths [1]. Sufficient clinical evidence exists to confirm that COVID-19 infection can result in multi-systemic involvement and can often present with extrapulmonary symptoms. This includes gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea which may be a result of underlying enteritis or colitis. A significant population remains asymptomatic, continued transmission from asymptomatic carriers to vulnerable population has been identified [2]. Prior to this pandemic, the most common organism causing hospital-acquired infections across the United States was Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) [3].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
