Incidence of enteric bacterial infections complicating Clostridium difficile infection (CDI)

The purpose of this study was to assess whether C. difficile infection (CDI) increases the risk of bacteremia or E. coli infection. The first specific aim of this study was to study the incidence of post C. difficile bacteremia in CDI patients stratified by disease severity vs. controls. The second specific aim was to study the incidence of post C. difficile E. coli infection from normally sterile sites stratified by disease severity vs. controls. This was a retrospective case case control study. The cases came from an ongoing prospective cohort study of CDI. Case group 1 were patients with mild to moderate CDI. Case group 2 were patients who had severe CDI. Controls were hospitalized patients given broad spectrum antibiotics that did not develop CDI. Controls were matched by age (±10 years) and duration of hospital visit (±1 week). 191 cases were selected from the cohort study and 191 controls were matched to the cases. Patients were followed up to 60 days after the initial diagnosis of CDI and assessed for bacteremia and E. coli infections. The Zar score was used to determine the severity of the CDI. Stata 11 was used to run all analyses. ^ The risk of non staphylococcal bacteremia after diagnosis of CDI was higher compared to controls (14% and 7% respectively, OR: 2.27; 95% CI:1.07-5.01, p=0.028). The risk of getting an E.coli infection was higher in cases than in controls (13% and 9% respectively although the results were not statistically significant (OR:1.4; 95% CI:0.38-5.59;p=0.32). Rates of non-staphylococcal bacteremia and E. coli infection did not differ cased on CDI severity. ^ This study showed that the risk of developing non-staphylococcus bacteremia was higher in patients with CDI compared to matched controls. The findings supported the hypothesis that CDI increases the risk of bacterial translocation specifically leading to the development of bacteremia.^

Controlling Bacterial Wilt in Muskmelon with Perimeter Trap Cropping

Perimeter trap cropping (PTC) involves planting one or more rows of a cucurbit crop that is highly attractive to cucumber beetles around the border of a main cucurbit cash crop that is less attractive to the beetles. Cucumber beetles attempting to migrate into the field are concentrated in the relatively more attractive border crop, where they can be controlled by insecticides. In New England, perimeter trap cropping using Blue Hubbard squash as the border crop around pumpkin, cucumber, or butternut squash controlled cucumber beetle/bacterial wilt with as few as one border spray of insecticide. This strategy reduced insecticide use on the main crop by up to 94 percent, nearly eliminating sprays on the main cash crop. In on-farm trials, 8 of 10 Massachusetts growers found that using perimeter trap cropping saved them money. The same tactic also effectively managed cucumber beetles on muskmelon and squash in Oklahoma.

On-farm Cooperator Trials 2011: Effect of Extended-duration Row Covers on Muskmelon and Winter Squash on Bacterial Wilt and Yield

Susceptible cucurbit crops are difficult to grow in Iowa because of bacterial wilt, caused by Erwinia tracheiphila. Striped and spotted cucumber beetles transmit bacterial wilt. Other insect pests such as squash vine borer and squash bugs may also have an economic impact on yield, particularly in squash.