Abstract:
Patient demographic data and clinical data were collected using an interviewer
administered questionnaire. Faecal toxin detection for both Clostridium difficile toxin A
and B was performed using an Enzyme linked immuno sorbant assay ( ELISA) ( DRG
Clostridum toxin A and B ( EIA 4203) DRG international . Inc, USA in the Department
of Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayawardenepura. Four
out of 100 specimens were positive for the toxin A or B by the ELISA . Two patients
were from CSTH, one was from THK and one was from NHSL. Overall proportion of
Clostridum difficile toxin positivity was 4 percent . When considering the individual
hospitals the proportions were 8.3 percent , 3.0 percent and 2.3 percent at CSTH. THK
and NHSL respectively. This study showed that hospital acquired CDAD is seen in our
country even through the proportions and rates remain very low in the three selected
hospitals when compared to the other countries. Even though we could not analyze the
risk factors due to very small proportions of positive cases, it seems that old age and use
of cephalosporins, carbapenems, extended spectrum penicillin’s and macrolides would
be associated with CDAD
