Risk Factors of Scappaticci et al for Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection in a Hematology Patient

Patient selection: hematologic malignancy with Clostridium difficile infection

Risk factors for recurrent C. difficile infection:

(1) salvage therapy for malignant lymphoma (odds ratio 9.6)

(2) severe Clostridium difficile episode (odds ratio 4.8)

Factors in the 6-month follow-up that may contribute to a recurrent episode:

(1) therapy with fluoroquinolone antibiotics

(2) therapy with ceftriaxone

(3) therapy with piperacillin/tazobactam

Factors associated with reduced risk of recurrence:

(1) prolonged duration of neutropenia

A patient with risk factors for recurrent Clostridium difficile disease should be targeted for aggressive management.