International Infection Prevention Week C. difficile – A persistent challenge in clinical practice C. difficile is considered a particularly stubborn pathogen as its spores are resistant to many conventional disinfectants and cleaning methods [3-4]. It is transmitted through direct or indirect contact with contaminated persons or surfaces, causing a faecal-oral smear infection. In industrialised countries, C. difficile is the most common cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea following previous antibiotic therapy. This allows C. difficile to multiply unhindered in disturbed intestinal flora [3]. CDI Cases on the Rise – A Growing Concern Since 2003, there has been a continuous increase in CDI cases worldwide, with more than 150,000 cases per year in Europe [5] and up to 500,000 cases per year in the USA [6, 7]. The prevention and containment of CDI in healthcare facilities therefore plays a key role. Precautionary measures, strict hand hygiene and consistent surface disinfection are essential, as the tenacity of the spores can quickly lead to recontamination and the initiation of new chains of transmission [4, 8]. Consistently Implementing Preventive Measure Preventing and containing CDI requires consistent coordination of various hygiene measures. Controlled use of antibiotics is essential to reduce the risk of infection. Patients with CDI should be accommodated in single rooms with wet rooms. In the event of an outbreak, cohort isolation should be implemented. Protective gowns and disposable gloves should be worn when entering the patient‘s room. Particular attention should be paid to hand hygiene: gloves should be worn when entering the room and changed when activities change. Hands should be disinfected and then washed when leaving the room. Patients should also be encouraged to practise thorough hand hygiene. For surface disinfection, all areas close to the patient and wet rooms should be treated daily with a sporicidal surface disinfectant [3]. Infection Prevention as a shared goal These measures can also prevent the spread of stubborn pathogens such as C. difficile. International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW) serves as a reminder of the importance of infection prevention for everyone. From 19 to 25 October 2025, the International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW) – first held in 1986 – once again drew global attention to the central importance of infection prevention. This year, the focus was on educating people about hygiene measures for Clostridioides difficile. These spore-forming bacteria present a significant challenge in infection prevention efforts [1, 2]. References 1. Robert Koch Institut. Clostridioides (früher Clostridium) difficile. RKI-Ratgeber. Stand: 22.01.2025. https://www.rki.de/DE/Aktuelles/Publikationen/RKI-Ratgeber/ Ratgeber/Ratgeber_Clostridium.html?nn=16777040#doc16790860bodyText2 (accessed on 25.08.2025) 2. Yakout A et al. (2024) J Prim Care Community Health 15:21501319241249645 3. Hygienemaßnahmen bei Clostridioides difficile-Infektion (CDI). Empfehlung der Kommission für Krankenhaushygiene und Infektionsprävention (KRINKO) beim Robert Koch-Institut (2019). Bundesgesundheitsbl 62: 906–923 4. Vance J, Turner N (2025) Infect Dis Clin North Am S0891-5520(25)00067-4. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2025.07.004 5. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Point prevalence survey of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial use in European acute care hospitals 2022–2023. https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/healthcare-associated-point-prevalence-survey-acute-care-hospitals-2022-2023.pdf 6. Guh A et al. (2020) N Engl J Med 382: 1320–30. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1910215 7. Lessa F et al. (2015) N Engl J Med 372: 825–34. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1408913 8. Krishna A, Chopra T (2021). Infect Dis Clin North Am 35(4): 995–1011 KNOWLEDGE 2003 2025 20
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