Relapse versus reinfection: surveillance of Clostridium difficile infection. Clin Infect Dis 53

Molecular typing was used to examine surveillance defi-nitions for recurrent Clostridium difficile–associated di-arrhea. Among 102 patients, 85 had a second episode within 8 weeks, 88 % of which were relapses. Of 49 second episodes occurring after. 8 weeks, 65 % were relapses. Categorization of a recurrent episode occurring after.8 weeks as a new infection may misrepresent the majority of episodes for surveillance. In recent years, Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has become more frequent, severe, and difficult to treat [1–3]. It is now recommended that healthcare facilities perform active sur-veillance for CDI, and many states in the United States have mandated facility-specific public reporting of healthcare-associated CDI rates [4]. To establish a uniform approach to surveillance, the Centers for Disease Control and Preventio