Study of Clostridioides Difficile in Infants

Westlake University300 enrolled

Overview

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) poses an increasing threat to infant and young child health, with detection rates rising annually. This retrospective study aims to explore the epidemiological characteristics, clinical manifestations, and potential biomarkers of CDI in children aged 0-2 years by examining three cohorts: (1) infants diagnosed with CDI, (2) asymptomatic carriers of C. difficile, and (3) healthy controls. Fecal samples from each group will undergo metagenomic sequencing and metabolomic profiling, coupled with questionnaire-based surveys for risk factor assessment. The findings are anticipated to identify key high-risk factors, elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms underlying infant CDI, and support the development of early diagnostic tools and preventive strategies.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

300

Conditions

Clostridioides Difficile Infection

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 1 DayMax age: 2 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age Range: Infants aged 0 to 2 years (inclusive) at the time of sample collection or medical record documentation. 2. Data Availability: Complete medical records or available stool samples within the study's retrospective time frame. 3. Group-Specific Criteria: CDI Patients: Documented diarrhea or related gastrointestinal symptoms, with laboratory-confirmed C. difficile by PCR or culture. Asymptomatic Carriers: Positive C. difficile test (PCR or culture) in the absence of diarrhea or other clinical CDI symptoms. Healthy Controls: Negative C. difficile test and no gastrointestinal symptoms indicative of CDI. 4. Consent/Authorization:Retrospective data (e.g., existing medical records or stored biosamples) may be included under a waiver of consent if approved by the institutional review board (IRB). However, any new information obtained directly from participants or their guardians (e.g., via questionnaires) requires explicit informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Incomplete Data: Infants whose medical records lack sufficient information to confirm their CDI status or those without adequate stool sample results. 2. Ambiguous Diagnosis: Patients presenting with other infectious diseases or conditions that could not rule out alternative diagnoses for diarrhea (e.g., confirmed concurrent viral or parasitic infections) without conclusive C. difficile testing. 3. Severe Comorbidities: Infants with life-threatening congenital conditions (e.g., severe immunodeficiency syndromes) if these conditions significantly alter the gut microbiota or confound CDI diagnosis.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Prevalence of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) and asymptomatic carriage in infants

The prevalence of CDI and asymptomatic C. difficile carriage will be determined by testing fecal samples for C. difficile using PCR and/or culture methods. Participants are categorized into three groups based on clinical symptoms (diarrhea, abdominal pain, or fever) and laboratory confirmation (positive PCR or stool culture). Specifically, the primary outcome assesses: 1. The proportion of infants (0-2 years) testing positive for C. difficile who exhibit clinical symptoms (CDI patients). 2. The proportion of infants (0-2 years) testing positive but showing no symptoms (asymptomatic carriers), and the proportion of infants testing negative (healthy controls).

Time frame: Data from medical records and stool sample tests collected retrospectively between July 2024 and December 2026.

Secondary Outcomes

Gut Microbial Diversity Among CDI Patients, Asymptomatic Carriers, and Healthy Controls

Metagenomic sequencing will be performed on fecal samples to assess alpha and beta diversity.The goal is to compare microbial community shifts and identify specific taxa changes associated with CDI.

Time frame: Same retrospective collection period (2024-2026)