Clostridium difficile is one of the most common anaerobic causative agents of nosocomial infections. In addition to the diarrhea associated with it, clostridium difficile causes a number of severe illnesses including pseudomembranous colitis and the often deadly toxic megacolon. In the countries around Germany and in North America, the frequency of infection and death caused by this agent has increased rapidly in the last five years. As of 2006 there was no current data about this pathogen’s prevalence or about illnesses caused by it in Germany. For this reason, it makes sense to carry out surveillance of health-care associated Clostridium difficile-associated diseases (CDAD). Data related to the frequency of CDAD and to severe cases of CDAD in hospitals can be gained through surveillance of nosocomial infections. Outbreaks of CDAD can be detected much earlier in this way.

Gastmeier P, Weitzel-Kage D, Behnke M, Eckmanns T.
Surveillance of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea with the German nosocomial infection surweillance system KISS (CDAD-KISS).
Int J Antimicrob Ag 2009; 33(Suppl. 1): 19-23.