Research and analysis

Effectiveness of isolation strategies for people with C. difficile

A rapid systematic review on the effectiveness of isolation strategies for people with C. difficile.

• From: UK Health Security Agency
• Published: 25 February 2026

Documents

Effectiveness of different isolation strategies for people with suspected or confirmed Clostridioides difficile infection in health and social care settings where care is provided: a rapid systematic review

Ref: GOV-20124 Published February 2026

PDF, 903 KB, 63 pages

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Details

This rapid systematic review (search up to 15 May 2025) identified and summarised evidence relating to the effectiveness of isolation strategies in health and social care settings to prevent transmission of Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile).

One prospective non-randomised controlled study and 11 quasi-experimental studies were included.

This review was commissioned to inform an update of the UKHSA guidance on Clostridioides difficile infection: how to deal with the problem. It represents the available evidence for this review question, but does not include the updated guidance recommendations. The updated guidance has not yet been published. This page will be updated when it is available.

Published 25 February 2026