Aerial dissemination of Clostridium difficile on a pig farm and its environment

作者：Keessen E C; Donswijk C J; Hol S P; Hermanus C; Kuijper E J; Lipman L J A^*

来源：Environmental Research, 2011, 111(8): 1027-1032.

DOI：10.1016/j.envres.2011.09.014

• Aerial dissemination
• Clostridium difficile
• Activity
• Pig farm

Clostridium difficile is increasingly recognized as an important enteropathogen in both humans and animals. The finding of C. difficile in air samples in hospitals suggests a role for aerial dissemination in the transmission of human C. difficile infection. The present study was designed to investigate the occurrence of airborne C. difficile in, and nearby a pig farm with a high prevalence of C. difficile. Airborne colony counts in the farrowing pens peaked on the moments shortly after or during personnel activity in the pens (P=0.043 (farrowing pens 1, 2), P=0.034 (farrowing pen 2)). A decrease in airborne C. difficile colony counts was observed parallel to aging of the piglets. Airborne C. difficile was detected up to 20 m distant from the farm.
This study showed widespread aerial dissemination of C. difficile on a pig farm that was positively associated with personnel activity.

• 出版日期2011-11