Risk factors for Clostridium difficile infection in a Hepatology ward

During 2001, Clostridium difficile infection was observed in 23 patients hospitalized in a hepatology ward ( attack rate, 0.9%). Since strain typing ruled out a clonal dissemination, we performed a casecontrol study. In addition to antibiotic use as a risk factor, the C. difficile infection rate was higher among patients with autoimmune hepatitis (P < .01).