Combatting Bacterial Resistance in Europe - Clostridium Difficile Infections (Combacte - CDI).

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is one of the most prevalent healthcare associated infections, affecting both hospitalized patients and individuals in the community; notably, there is an increasing realization that cases also occur in subjects not recently exposed to healthcare interventions, including antibiotics. CDI poses an extensive burden of morbidity, mortality and healthcare resource utilization, and so requires effective prevention and management strategies. Epidemiological data are, however, limited and studies typically have examined only part of a healthcare economy and usually have been focused on single countries/healthcare systems. Thus, there is a lack of robust, comprehensive data on the impact of CDI across countries in Europe. Furthermore, we know that large variations in the frequency of testing and the sensitivity of CDI diagnostics across European countries mean that the size of the problem is underestimated. Combating Bacterial Resistance in Europe-CDI (COMBACTE-CDI) therefore aims to develop a detailed understanding of the epidemiology and clinical impact of CDI across multiple European countries. Our project proposal provides a collaborative approach comprising three scientific work packages (WPs). A large epidemiology study will be undertaken across Europe in WP1 to quantify the burden of CDI (incidence, distribution, recurrence, morbidity, mortality, transmission) across the whole healthcare economy. This will be followed by a case/control study in WP2, which along with data collected in a questionnaire will enable the consortium to assess current practices in Europe (guidelines, testing, surveillance, treatment, cost) and their potential impacts. WP3 will create a rich, European, research platform that will provide support for future proof-of-concept and clinical studies of new prevention and treatment strategies for CDI. The three interrelated research WPs will be supported by a management work package (WP4).

Keywords:BACTERIAL RESISTANCE

Disciplines:Microbiology, Systems biology, Laboratory medicine