Concerns growing over C difficile bug infections

CURRENT efforts to prevent and control the C difficile bug may not be enough to reduce rates further in Scotland as cases remain a problem in the community, a report says.

Rates of C difficile in the over-65 age group in Scotland dropped by 38 per cent last year, while MRSA was down 33 per cent.

But a report by Health Protection Scotland (HPS) said that during the first three quarters of 2010, rates of C difficile levelled off before a drop in the final quarter. It said: "The plateauing of overall rates in the first three quarters of 2010 may suggest that current practices to prevent and control CDI (C difficile infection) will not be adequate to reduce CDI incidence rates further."

It is thought that cases acquired in the community now need to be targeted to reduce rates further, while continuing to maintain standards in hospitals so no increases are seen.

Efforts to tackle C difficile in hospitals have focused on issues such as inappropriate antibiotic use, which can increase the risk of the condition developing.