Clostridium difficile Surveillance Trends in Saxony, Germany
Author Information
Author(s): Burckhardt Florian, Friedrich Anett, Beier Dietmar, Eckmanns Tim
Primary Institution: Robert Koch Institute
Hypothesis
Is there an increase in Clostridium difficile infections in Saxony, Germany, similar to trends observed in the US?
Conclusion
There has been a significant increase in Clostridium difficile infections in Saxony, particularly among the elderly.
Supporting Evidence
- C. difficile incidence rates increased from 1.7–3.8 per 100,000 in 2002 to 14.8 per 100,000 in 2006.
- Elderly persons over 65 years accounted for 65% of all C. difficile cases in 2006.
- The study compared C. difficile data with Salmonella spp. and viral gastroenteritis infections to assess reporting bias.
Takeaway
The number of people getting sick from a germ called Clostridium difficile is going up in Saxony, especially among older folks.
Methodology
The study analyzed quarterly incidence data of C. difficile infections from 2002 to 2006 and compared it with other gastroenteric infections.
Potential Biases
Potential reporting bias in gastroenteric disease notifications.
Limitations
C. difficile is not a federally notifiable disease in Germany, which limits national surveillance analysis.
Participant Demographics
Elderly persons over 65 years accounted for 65% of cases, with slightly more women than men affected.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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