Prevalence and characteristics of bacteria and host factors in an outbreak situation of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea.

Antibiotic-associated diarrhoea (AAD) represents a clinical entity leading to prolonged hospital stays and diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and results in additional costs. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and characteristics of different bacteria in stools of patients with AAD. The reliability of diagnostic procedures under routine conditions was evaluated.