Viral Co-infections Are Common and Are Associated With Higher Bacterial Burden in Children With Clostridium difficile Infection

Clostridium difficile infections in children are increasing. In this cohort study, we enrolled 62 children with diarrhea and C difficile. We performed polymerase chain reaction assays to detect viral agents of gastroenteritis and quantify C difficile burden. Fifteen (24%) children diagnosed as having C difficile infection had a concomitant viral co-infection. These patients tended to be younger and had a higher C difficile bacterial burden than children with no viral co-infections (median difference=565,957 cfu/mL; P=0.011), but were clinically indistinguishable. The contribution of viral co-infection to C difficile disease in children warrants future investigation.