Clinical impact and outcome of clostridium non-difficile infection in critically ill patients

Results A total of 47 critically ill patients (32 men, mean age 66 ± 9 years, mean SOFA-score on admission 9 ± 3) with Clostridium non-difficile infection were included in this study. The most common pathogens were Clostridium innocum (n = 23), Clostridium perfringens (n = 11), Clostridium tertium (n = 6) and others (n = 7). Pathogens were detected in 62% intra-abdominal, in 29% in blood cultures and 8% of patients had soft tissue infection. Intra-abdominal infections (71%) were the most common source of infection. Admission diagnoses were septic shock (54%), surgical treatment (44%) and others (2%). Highest incidence of septic shock was seen in patients with Clostridium innocum infection, (p < 0.05). Preexisting, mostly abdominal (90%) malignancy was seen in 46% of these patients. Invasive ventilation was needed in 50%, vasopressor therapy in 71% and renal replacement therapy in 38%. The overall ICU mortality was 45%. Highest ICU mortality rate was found in patients with Clostridium innocum infection (45%), followed by Clostridium perfringens (23%) and Clostridium tertium (17%). Patients with septic shock showed significantly higher mortality rates (p < 0.05). By means of source of infection highest mortality rate was found in abdominal infection (65%) followed by bacteremia (43%).