Abstract
Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients represent a high-risk group for developing Clostridium difficile (CD) infection (CDI). We aimed to identify specific risk factors for CDI in an HSCT patient population during the peritransplant period. We performed a case-control study within a cohort of HSCT patients who received a transplant from November 2010 to March 2013. Cases had a clinical presentation compatible with CDI and a positive stool sample Xpert® C.difficile test. Controls were CDI negative and matched on age, gender, and transplant type. Peritransplant period was defined as -30days or time of stem cell mobilization maneuver to 30days post transplant in autologous SCT or 90days post transplant in allogeneic SCT. Of 781 HSCTs performed during the study period, 650 (83.2%) had a stool sample submitted for CD testing. Eight-six (13.2%) cases with CDI were identified. Most of the cases were diagnosed within a week after transplantation (median of 5days). In adjusted analysis, prior hospitalization (odds ratio [OR]: 2.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-3.36), prior cephalosporin administration (OR 2.72, 95% CI: 1.54-4.83), and prior chemotherapy (OR: 3.26, 95% CI: 1.92-5.5) were significantly associated with CDI. Hospitalization, and prior antibiotic and chemotherapy use are risk factors that are not easily modifiable, which emphasizes the need to start investigating preventive or prophylactic strategies in this high-risk population.
Published Version
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