Prevalence of Clostridium difficile infection in Asian countries

Clostridium difficile is an important pathogen that causes secondary infection after the administration of antibiotics in the treatment of bacterial infection. This bacterium can cause two major diseases, known as antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and pseudomembranous colitis. Many studies on the prevalence of C. difficile-associated disease have been conducted throughout the world. However, data on this disease in Asia are limited. Resistance towards most antibiotics poses a significant challenge to successful treatment of associated diseases. Emergence of a hypervirulent strain has been reported recently; this strain produces more toxins and causes more severe infection. Therefore, regular epidemiological studies are crucial to monitor the incidence and the outbreaks of C. difficile. (C) 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins