Clostridium difficile skin contamination in patients with C. difficile-associated disease

Abstract

In a prospective study of 27 patients with Clostridium difficile-associated disease, we found that C. difficile frequently contaminated multiple skin sites, including groin, chest, abdomen, forearms, and hands, and was easily acquired on investigators' hands. Skin contamination often persisted on patients' chest and abdomen after resolution of diarrhea.