[Nosocomial gastrointestinal infections and Clostridioides difficile]

Abstract

German surveillance data from 2022 reported a prevalence of nosocomial infections among hospitalized patients of 5,2%. Clostridioides-difficile-infections (CDI) are the most frequent cause of nosocomial diarrhea. They are usually caused by antibiotic exposure and the subsequent changes in the gut microbiota. Clinical manifestation ranges from asymptomatic colonization over moderate diarrhea to severe pseudomembranous colitis. According to the current German Gastrointestinal Infection Guidelines, fidaxomicin is the preferred treatment option for CDI, especially in patients at high risk of recurrence or those already suffering from recurrence. Vancomycin can also be used as an alternative for initial CDI treatment. Fecal microbiota transplantation is considered a treatment approach for patients with multiple recurrences.