Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile infection in hospitalized adult patients in Cambodia

ABSTRACT Despite high levels of global concern, little is known about the epidemiology of Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile infection (CDI) in Cambodia. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and risk factors for CDI, and molecular types of C. difficile in hospitalized adults at Calmette Hospital, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Stool samples were collected from 263 hospitalized adults between June and September 2022 and tested for C. difficile using direct and enrichment cultures. PCR toxin genes tcdA, tcdB, cdtA, and cdtB, and amplification of the 16s–23s rRNA intergenic spacer region for ribotyping, were performed on all C. difficile isolates. C. difficile was isolated from 24% (63/263) of samples, and most isolates were non-toxigenic (67%, 42/63). The five most predominant toxigenic C. difficile ribotypes (RTs) were RTs 046 (8%, 5/63), 017 (6%, 4/63), 056 (5%, 3/63), 014/020 (5%, 3/63), and 012 (3%, 2/63), and prominent non-toxigenic RTs were QX011 (14%, 9/63), 010 (8%, 5/63), 009 (3%, 2/63), QX021 (3%, 2/63), and QX002 (3%, 2/63). Risk factors significantly associated with CDI included diabetes (odds ratio [OR] = 2.48, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16–5.30) and hospitalization >24 h within the last 3 months before testing (OR = 3.89, 95% CI: 1.79–8.43). It was concluded that most participants from whom C. difficile was isolated were colonized only; however, a high prevalence of asymptomatic carriage could contribute to silent transmission in healthcare settings and communities. Genotypic identification of local C. difficile strains is necessary for a better understanding of the epidemiology of CDI and the importance of C. difficile.IMPORTANCEClostridioides difficile is a significant cause of diarrhea worldwide, initially as a hospital-acquired infection and, more recently, as a community-associated infection. Risk factors for hospital-acquired C. difficile infection include antimicrobial consumption, extended hospitalization, age ≥ 65 years, and proton pump inhibitor treatment. While much is known about C. difficile in high-income countries, little is known and there has been less interest in this infection in Asia due to the lack of data. Thus, investigating the prevalence and risk factors for C. difficile and characterizing C. difficile strains from hospitalized adults is necessary in Asian countries such as Cambodia. Diabetes and hospitalization >24 h within the last 3 months were identified as risk factors for C. difficile colonization/infection. The high prevalence of non-toxigenic strains and asymptomatic carriage of C. difficile in this country were notable. Further studies are warranted to gain better insights into this infection in Cambodia.