Laboratory Methods of Clostridium difficile Diagnostics in Hospitalized Patients in Tábor Hospital, a.s.

This thesis deals with the issue of bacterial infection caused by Clostridium difficile. This infection is a significant medical and epidemiological problem, especially in hospitalized patients in health care facilities. The theoretical part of this thesis focuses on the description of the bacterium Clostridium difficile, deals with its clinical significance, the causes of occurrence, and laboratory methods used to examine samples for the presence of the bacterium and its toxins. It summarizes current possibilities of treatment and prevention of the diseases caused by the bacterium. The practical part describes current laboratory examination procedures in the Hospital Tábor, a.s. The data from the examinations in the reference years are processed there. All analysed data describe results of examinations in patients hospitalized in the hospital in Tábor. The practical part of the thesis brings summarized and evaluated results of the examinations. This part is gives answers to the question of adequacy of examination procedures and the impact of selected risk factors on the frequency of the examinations. It also includes evidence that the incidence of health care associated Clostridium difficile colitis has been increasing over the years. The cases of two patients affected by this colitis caused by previous antibiotic treatment are also described. In conclusion, the thesis summarizes the importance of Clostridium difficile and answers to the set questions. It was found that high number of results of tested samples were negative. Therefore, possible improvements are recommended