Clostridium difficile Infection: A Worldwide Disease

Clostridium difficile, an anaerobic toxigenic bacterium, causes a severe infectious colitis that leads to significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Both enhanced bacterial toxins and diminished host immune response contribute to symptomatic disease. C. difficile has been a well-established pathogen in North America and Europe for decades, but is just emerging in Asia. This article reviews the epidemiology, microbiology, pathophysiology, and clinical management of C. difficile. Prompt recognition of C. difficile is necessary to implement appropriate infection control practices.     

SARS-CoV 2 Infection (Covid-19) and Cardiovascular Disease in Africa: Health Care and Socio-Economic Implications

The current pandemic of SARS-COV 2 infection (Covid-19) is challenging health systems and communities worldwide. At the individual level, the main biological system involved in Covid-19 is the respiratory system. Respiratory complications range from mild flu-like illness symptoms to a fatal respiratory distress syndrome or a severe and fulminant pneumonia. Critically, the presence of a pre-existing cardiovascular disease or its risk factors, such as hypertension or type II diabetes mellitus, increases the chance of having severe complications (including death) if infected by the virus. In addition, the infection can worsen an existing cardiovascular disease or precipitate new ones.This paper presents a contemporary review of cardiovascular complications of Covid-19. It also specifically examines the impact of the disease on those already vulnerable and on the poorly resourced health systems of Africa as well as the potential broader consequences on the socio-economic health of this region.     

Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Geriatrics and Long-Term Care: The ABCDs of COVID-19

The pandemic of coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) is having a global impact unseen since the 1918 worldwide influenza epidemic. All aspects of life have changed dramatically for now. The group most susceptible to COVID-19 are older adults and those with chronic underlying medical disorders. The population residing in long-term care facilities generally are those who are both old and have multiple comorbidities. In this article we provide information, insights, and recommended approaches to COVID-19 in the long-term facility setting. Because the situation is fluid and changing rapidly, readers are encouraged to access frequently the resources cited in this article. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:912–917, 2020     

Diagnosis,Management, and Prevention of Clostridium difficile Infection in Long‐Term Care Facilities: A Review

Clostridium difficile is a significant healthcare‐associated pathogen and the major cause of antibiotic‐associated diarrhea. The incidence and severity of C. difficile infection have increased in many parts of North America and Europe in the past few years with the widespread dissemination of a hypervirulent strain of C. difficile, referred to as North American pulsed‐field type 1, polymerase chain reaction ribotype 027 (NAP1/027). C. difficile infection appears to affect older adults disproportionately. Long‐term care facility (LTCF) residents are at greater risk because of advanced age, the frequent need for hospitalization, and recurrent exposures to antimicrobial agents. Early identification of C. difficile infection and prompt initiation of appropriate therapy are required to reduce morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis is based on the detection of C. difficile toxins A or B in diarrheal stool specimens. The treatment of choice for moderate or severe C. difficile infection (defined as the presence of pseudomembranous colitis, treatment in an intensive care unit, or two of (i) aged 60 and older, (ii) fever greater than 38.3°C, (iii) peripheral leukocytosis (>15,000 cells/mm³), or (iv) hypoalbuminemia (<2.5 mg/dL) should be with oral vancomycin (125 mg four times a day for 10–14 days). Treatment with oral metronidazole should be reserved for those with milder disease. Measures to prevent outbreaks and reduce the risk of C. difficile infection in LCTFs should include antimicrobial stewardship to ensure judicious use of antibiotics, C. difficile infection surveillance, appropriate use of contact or barrier precautions, and careful environmental cleaning and disinfection using sporicidal agents.     

Epidemiology of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in Aging Populations

Current epidemiologic practice evaluates COPD based on self-reported symptoms of chronic bronchitis, self-reported physician-diagnosed COPD, spirometry confirmed airflow obstruction, or emphysema diagnosed by volumetric computed chest tomography (CT). Because the highest risk population for having COPD includes a predominance of middle-aged or older persons, aging related changes must also be considered, including: 1) increased multimorbidity, polypharmacy, and severe deconditioning, as these identify mechanisms that underlie respiratory symptoms and can impart a complex differential diagnosis; 2) increased airflow limitation, as this impacts the interpretation of spirometry confirmed airflow obstruction; and 3) “senile” emphysema, as this impacts the specificity of CT-diagnosed emphysema. Accordingly, in an era of rapidly aging populations worldwide, the use of epidemiologic criteria that do not rigorously consider aging related changes will result in increased misidentification of COPD and may, in turn, misinform public health policy and patient care.