Di Bella Stefano, Capone Alessandro, Musso Maria, Giannella Maddalena, Tarasi Agapito, Johnson Emma, Taglietti Fabrizio, Campoli Caterina, Petrosillo Nicola
National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani, Rome, Italy.
Infez Med. 2013 Jun;21(2):93-102.
The incidence of C. difficile infections (CDI) in the elderly continues to rise and infection is associated with increased morbidity and mortality when compared to those affected in younger age-groups. Immunosenescence may be a contributory factor yet the exact immune responses that may protect against CDI are incompletely understood. Increased exposure to antibiotics, frequent and/or prolonged hospital admissions and residing in long-term care facilities provide multiple opportunities for host and pathogen to coincide. This review explores the epidemiology, diagnostic parameters and management of the spectrum of disease in the geriatric population. Deaths attributed to CDI are most common in the elderly population and are a major contributor to gastroenteritis-associated mortality in many countries. The elderly represent an at-risk population from this pathogen and efforts must be directed to preventing infection and optimising treatment in this group.
老年人艰难梭菌感染（CDI）的发病率持续上升，与年轻人群体相比，该感染与发病率和死亡率增加相关。免疫衰老可能是一个促成因素，但尚未完全了解可能预防CDI的确切免疫反应。抗生素暴露增加、频繁和/或长期住院以及居住在长期护理机构为宿主和病原体相遇提供了多种机会。本综述探讨了老年人群疾病谱的流行病学、诊断参数和管理。归因于CDI的死亡在老年人群中最为常见，并且是许多国家与胃肠炎相关死亡率的主要促成因素。老年人是这种病原体的高危人群，必须致力于预防该群体的感染并优化治疗。
