PRIMARY INFECTION OF ASCITIC FLUID WITH CLOSTRIDIUM-DIFFICILE

A case of a primary infection of ascitic fluid with a toxigenic strain of Clostridium difficile is described. The strain belonged to the serogroup H which is often implicated in pseudomembranous colitis. Nevertheless, our patient did not have any sign of colitis or diarrhoea before the ascitic infection. She was successfully treated by the intravenous administration of metronidazole but relapsed a few weeks later. A similar strain of serogroup H was again isolated. © 1990 The British Society for the Study of Infection.