RESUMEN
Stool samples and rectal swabs [213 samples] Were taken from 158 patients adimtted to local hospitals and 55 healthy children aged few days to fourteen years obtained between November 1995 and April 1996. Rectal swabs and stool samples were inoculated on chopped meat glucose [CM6] medium and Duncan and Strong Medium respectively. Fifteen of 213 samples [7%] were positive for Clostridium difficile indentified by biochemical methods, 7 of which were isolated from patients receiving antimicrobial and other drugs without diarrhea, 2 were isolated from patients received medication and suffered from diarrhea and 6 were isolated from healthy children. In vitro susceptibility tests were performed on 15 isolates to 12 locally available antimicrobial agents [Penicillin, Tetracyclin, Sterptomycin, Lincomycin, Metronidazole, Neomycin, Chlormphenicol, Erythromycin, Gentamicin, Ampicillin, Cefazolin, Clindamycin]. Most of the isolates revealed high resistance to Neomycin, Clindamycin and streptomycin