Characteristics of Clostridioides difficile infection in inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Background: The epidemiology of Clostridioides difficile infection(CDI) in China is different from western countries and the characteristics of CDI among inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in China may be unique. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular epidemiology and to find out the risk factors of CDI among IBD inpatients in Jiangsu Province, China. Methods: Patients with IBD admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University from August 2013 to December 2018 were enrolled. IBD patients were matched with non IBD patients according to age and gender. Diarrhea samples were sent for CDI diagnosis and the molecular epidemiology investigation was performed. Finally, patients’ information was collected and logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the independent risk factors of CDI in IBD patients. Results: In this study, the incidence of CDI in IBD patients was much higher than that in non IBD patients (24.6% vs. 9.0%) and community acquired infection was the main kind. The predominant type of epidemic strain of C. difficile in this study was ST54. The shorter history of IBD and recent use of quinolone antibiotics were independent risk factors for CDI among diarrhea patients with IBD. Conclusion: If the duration of IBD is within one year or quinolone antibiotics have been used recently, clinicians should consider the possibility of IBD patients complicated with CDI and adjust the treatment plan.