Nosocomial transmission of toxin-producing Clostridioides difficile presents a significant challenge for infection control professionals. This bacteria, which resides in human intestines, presents a threat in hospitals, particularly when patients and medical staff are in close quarters. Research conducted at a single center used draft whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the core-genome to assess the genetic relations of different C. difficile bacteria.
This retrospective study processed 38 strains, each from a different patient, from April 2014 through January 2015. The research identified 38 strains, which were categorized into 11 sequence types (STs). ST81 was the most common, followed by ST183 and ST17. Through the analysis of SNPs, the team was able to uncover a pattern of suspected nosocomial transmission.
Five clusters were identified using the draft WGS, and 16 strains belonged to these clusters. There were separate clusters for ST81, ST183, and ST17. The largest of which was ST183-SNT-1, with five patients associated.
A recurring theme in the data was the frequent room changes and readmissions of patients. These scenarios presented a higher risk of silent transmission within the wards. The study emphasizes that monitoring C. difficile transmission through WGS-based analysis could be instrumental in infection control management.
Clostridioides difficile is a common pathogen responsible for infection due to its toxin-producing nature. The spore-forming nature of C. difficile calls for different decontamination methods, often labor-intensive, compared to those used for general bacteria. Therefore, tracking the transmission of C. difficile between patients becomes crucial for effective infection prevention in hospitals.
The study sought to uncover silent transmissions of C. difficile through WGS and SNPs-based analyses supplemented with epidemiological data. It provides valuable insights for identifying potential nosocomial transmission risks and emphasizes the value of aggressive additional culture tests for C. difficile.
Source: https://bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12879-024-09841-9