Table 2 Admissions of patients suffering diarrhoea comparing admissions with stool samples positive vs negative for Clostridium difficile.

From: Diarrhoea in the critically ill is common, associated with poor outcome and rarely due to Clostridium difficile

Admissions Suffering Diarrhoea During Their ICU Stay (N = 1207)

Number (%)

ICU Mortality (%)

Clostridium difficile positive

97 (8.0)

26 (26.8)

 Glutamate dehydrogenase antigen positive only

27 (2.2)

3 (11.1)

 Toxin positive

70 (5.8)

23 (32.9)

Clostridium difficile negative

1112 (92.1)

240 (21.6)

 Preceding laxative and/or enema use

305 (25.3)

71 (23.3)

 Negative stool sample

793 (65.7)

169 (21.3)

 Positive stool sample

14 (1.2)

0 (0)