In recent months, a bacterium that causes severe diarrhea worries the Marseille region. In question, the 027 strain of Clostridium difficile, already suspected in 3 deaths.
Since March 2013, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Regional Health Agency has been informed of the presence of a strain of Clostridium difficile 027 circulating in several health and medico-social establishments welcoming the elderly in the Bouches-du-Rhône. -Rhône. For this new strain in the region, the toll already stands at 41 people infected among the 80 people who were victims of a Clostridium difficile infection in the Bouches-du-Rhône. In seven months, no less than 6 establishments were struck by the mutant bacteria.
In fact, Clostridium difficile clone, Clostridium difficile 027 is more severe and more contagious than the original strain. Clostridium difficile 027 infection manifests as diarrhea with abdominal cramps and fever. “The bacteria is particularly deleterious in the elderly, the average age of affected patients fluctuates between 75 and 80 years, who have previously been treated with antibiotic therapy. Treatments which alter the intestinal flora and which leave the field free for the bacteria “, specifies the Institute for Public Health Surveillance.
As a result, to date, “even if the causal link has not been established by the medical community”, 3 patients with Clostridium difficile 027 have recently died in the region, recognized the ARS. But the Agency clarified that “most of these people were weakened by advancing age and disease.”
In addition, at present, 4 patients are still affected by an infection linked to the bacteria. They are currently monitored at the North Hospital of Marseille by the medical teams of the infectious diseases department. “These people are isolated within the establishment,” said the press release.
Finally, in addition to the reminder of hygiene measures in the affected establishments, the Agency is alerting liberal doctors to the urgency of detecting the bacteria as quickly as possible.
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