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C.difficile: a super bug? |
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Written by Christine Besson
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Monday, 05 September 2005 |
The term ‘superbug'
usually refers to bacteria that have acquired drug resistance and are hence
more difficult to treat because the treatment options are limited. Specific
antibiotic resistance is not generally a problem for C. difficile.
However, the new type of C.difficile that spread in many Québec hospitals in 2003/ 2004 and was the cause of an epidemic( that is far from being over) is extremely toxic: it is the type 027
What is type 027 and why is it of concern?
Type 027 produces much
more of the toxins than most other types because a mutation has knocked out the
gene that normally restricts toxin production. It causes a greater proportion
of severe disease and appears to have a higher mortality. It also seems to be very
capable of spreading between patients.
How does it spread?
Some people may be healthy carrier of C. difficile. It means they carry the
bacteria without being infected themselves.
However, in most cases, patients get infected in cross infection from another
patient.
The spore of the C. diff. can easily contaminate the general environment (flat
surfaces, linen, equipment etc) where they can survive for many weeks.
The staff is the principal source of contamination. They carry the bacteria
spores of their hands and their uniform.
Prevention
and control
The same measures apply as for any type of regular C.
difficile: the key to success is a strict and continuous application of these
measures:
- Strict
isolation of the infected patient
- Good infection control
- Handwashing – not just with an alcohol solution which
does not kill the spores of C. difficile
- Wearing of gloves and an apron when taking care of the
infected patient.
- Daily desinfection of the
environment using chlorine containing desinfectant (commonly called bleach).
To read more on C. difficile, see our section "specialized documentation"
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