Clostridium difficile Colitis in a Health Care Worker: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Excerpt

Among health care workers (HCWs) the rates of exposure to and bodily contamination and colonic colonization with Clostridium difficile is high. Despite this, the reported incidence of C. difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) among HCWs is exceedingly low. The case of a 52-year-old male endoscopy nurse who developed CDAD after receiving a course of amoxicillin/clavulanate is reported here. The published English language literature is then reviewed, which consists of only six case reports describing a total of 12 cases of CDAD among HCWs. Although relatively uncommon, HCWs should be educated about measures for preventing CDAD. Those who develop CDAD should avoid work while symptomatic. Given the risk of relapse as well as emerging evidence that asymptomatic carriers may continue to shed C. difficile, the long-term management of HCWs with CDAD remains undefined. …