Viral co-infections are common and are associated with higher bacterial burden in children with clostridium difficile infection

J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2013 Dec;57(6):813-6. doi: 10.1097/MPG.0b013e3182a3202f.

Abstract

Clostridium difficile infections in children are increasing. In this cohort study, we enrolled 62 children with diarrhea and C difficile. We performed polymerase chain reaction assays to detect viral agents of gastroenteritis and quantify C difficile burden. Fifteen (24%) children diagnosed as having C difficile infection had a concomitant viral co-infection. These patients tended to be younger and had a higher C difficile bacterial burden than children with no viral co-infections (median difference = 565,957 cfu/mL; P = 0.011), but were clinically indistinguishable. The contribution of viral co-infection to C difficile disease in children warrants future investigation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Bacterial Load
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Clostridioides difficile*
  • Clostridium Infections / complications*
  • Clostridium Infections / microbiology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Coinfection / epidemiology*
  • Coinfection / microbiology
  • Coinfection / virology
  • Diarrhea / etiology*
  • Diarrhea / microbiology
  • Diarrhea / virology
  • Female
  • Gastroenteritis / etiology*
  • Gastroenteritis / microbiology
  • Gastroenteritis / virology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Virus Diseases / complications*
  • Virus Diseases / epidemiology
  • Virus Diseases / virology