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. 2011 Nov;53(10):1003-6.
doi: 10.1093/cid/cir643. Epub 2011 Oct 5.

Relapse versus reinfection: surveillance of Clostridium difficile infection

Mini Kamboj  1 , Perminder Khosa, Anna Kaltsas, N Esther Babady, Crystal Son, Kent A Sepkowitz
Affiliations

Relapse versus reinfection: surveillance of Clostridium difficile infection

Mini Kamboj et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2011 Nov.

Abstract

Molecular typing was used to examine surveillance definitions for recurrent Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea. Among 102 patients, 85 had a second episode within 8 weeks, 88% of which were relapses. Of 49 second episodes occurring after > 8 weeks, 65% were relapses. Categorization of a recurrent episode occurring after >8 weeks as a new infection may misrepresent the majority of episodes for surveillance.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Relapse and second infection as determined by molecular typing, depicted by time from the initial episode.
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