Epidemiology and typing of Clostridium difficile.

Clostridium difficile is now established as the most common nosocomial enteric pathogen causing pseudomembranous colitis, antibiotic-associated colitis and antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. Antibiotic therapy is the most important risk factor in colonization and infection with C. difficile. However, other factors are involved such as age and underlying illness. The introduction of reliable typing and fingerprinting methods has demonstrated hospital acquisition and cross-infection with C. difficile and has been important in improving our understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenicity of C. difficile.