COMBACTE-CDI Develops Dynamic Transmission Model

The model also predicts the effect of increasing or decreasing testing rates, as well as the effect of changes in the defined daily dose (DDD) of antimicrobials on the incidence of CDI. The model considers both the optimistic scenario of increased testing and decreased antimicrobial consumption as well as the potential scenarios of decreased testing and increased antimicrobial consumption, as may be seen for example in some settings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Predictions from the model suggest that many European countries are significantly underestimating the incidence of CDI in hospitals through missed opportunities to test patients. The model predicts that countries with high antimicrobial consumption are exacerbating this issue. We estimate that decreased antimicrobial consumption and increased testing could result in a reduction in CDI incidence in hospitals, however the model estimates that if the impact of the SARS-COV-2 is leading to increased antimicrobial usage and less testing, gains made to control and reduce CDI across Europe could be jeopardised.

COMBACTE-CDI at ICDS 2020

An abstract from the case-control study of COMBACTE-CDI (work package 1) was selected for a short oral presentation at the virtual meeting of the 7^th International C. Difficile Symposium (ICDS 2020). The presentation highlighted difference between community and hospital cases of C. difficile infection (CDI) and comparison of risks for and outcomes of CDI for patients who are toxin positive, compared with those who are positive for the organism only.

About WP1

COMBACTE-CDI’s WP1 is a large epidemiology study to quantify the burden of C. difficile infections – in terms of incidence, distribution, recurrence, morbidity, mortality and transmission – across the whole healthcare economy.