Project Title: “Epidemiology of Clostridium difficile-associated disease in Georgia”, BTEP/ISTC, G-1759; Project duration: 01.12.2013 – 31.05.2015.

Project Summary

a). Aim: Study of C. difficile-associated disease prevalence, risk factors and molecular epidemiology in Georgia

b). Activities

• Data collection for C. difficile-associated disease (CDAD) prevalence and risk-factors investigation; 

• Detection, isolation and identification of C. difficile strains from clinical samples using bacteriological methods; 

• Determination the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of C. difficile strains;

• Study of relationships between C. difficile toxins A/B and CDAD;

• A, B and binary toxins typing;

• PCR ribotyping of C. difficile strains.

c). Expected Results 

• Obtaining incidence of CDAD among hospitalized patients in Georgia; 

• Possible of risk factors of healthcare-associated-CDAD transmission in Georgia will be identified;

• Relationships between C. difficile toxins A and B and CDAD will be identified;

• Molecular characteristics of C. difficile strains prevalent in Georgia will be defined;

• Formulation of preventive measures against CDAD.