Clostridium difficile infection in childhood - case series

Authors

  • P. Parusheva Department of Infectious diseases, Medical Faculty, Trakia University – Stara Zagora, Bulgaria; Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University Multiprofile Hospital – Stara Zagora, Bulgaria Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5167-8984
  • L. Pekova Department of Infectious diseases, Medical Faculty, Trakia University – Stara Zagora, Bulgaria; Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University Multiprofile Hospital – Stara Zagora, Bulgaria Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5866-6890
  • S. Angelova Microbiology, Medical Faculty, Trakia University – Stara Zagora, Bulgaria Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9119-6373
  • B. Bureva Department of Infectious diseases, Medical Faculty, Trakia University – Stara Zagora, Bulgaria; Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University Multiprofile Hospital – Stara Zagora, Bulgaria Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2478/AMB-2025-0034

Keywords:

childhood , clinical course, Cl. difficile infection(CDI)

Abstract

Clostridioides (formerly Clostridium) difficile is a spore-forming, anaerobic, toxin-producing gram-positive bacillus. Recently, its frequency as a cause of diarrhea in childhood has been increasing, which necessitates its further in-depth study. Objective: To analyze the risk factors for morbidity, clinical course and outcome in children with C. difficile infection (CDI). A series of six cases of CDI in children aged between 10 months and 11 years, hospitalized in the Clinic for Infectious Diseases at University hospital, Stara Zagora, is presented. The main clinical manifestation of the disease is a diarrheal syndrome. All of the patients underwent clinical, epidemiological, laboratory, microbiological and serological tests. Conclusion: The age group in our study is different from the usual one for CDI. With the exception of one, all the remaining patients lacked predisposing factors for CDI. Rapid diagnosis and initiation of adequate etiological therapy improves the condition of patients and leads to a favorable outcome.

Author Biographies

  • P. Parusheva, Department of Infectious diseases, Medical Faculty, Trakia University – Stara Zagora, Bulgaria; Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University Multiprofile Hospital – Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

    Assistant at Dept. of Infectious diseases, Medical Faculty, Trakia University, Stara Zagora

    Clinic of Infectious diseases, University Multiprofile hospital, Stara Zagora

  • L. Pekova, Department of Infectious diseases, Medical Faculty, Trakia University – Stara Zagora, Bulgaria; Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University Multiprofile Hospital – Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

    Professor of Infectious diseases at the Faculty of Medicine of Trakia university, Department of Infectious diseases

    Head of Clinic of Infectious diseases, University Multiprofile hospital, Stara Zagora

  • S. Angelova, Microbiology, Medical Faculty, Trakia University – Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

    Dept. of Microbiology, Medical faculty, Trakia University, Stara Zagora

  • B. Bureva, Department of Infectious diseases, Medical Faculty, Trakia University – Stara Zagora, Bulgaria; Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University Multiprofile Hospital – Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

    Assistant at Dept. of Infectious diseases, Medical Faculty, Trakia University, Stara Zagora

    Clinic of Infectious diseases, University Multiprofile hospital, Stara Zagora

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Published

20.05.2025

Issue

Vol. 52 No. Suppl 1 (2025): Acta Medica Bulgarica

Section

CASE SERIES

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Copyright (c) 2025 P. Parusheva, L. Pekova, S. Angelova, B. Bureva (Author)

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How to Cite

Parusheva, P., Pekova, L., Angelova, S., & Bureva, B. (2025). Clostridium difficile infection in childhood - case series. Acta Medica Bulgarica, 52(Suppl 1), 98-103. https://doi.org/10.2478/AMB-2025-0034