C. difficile

Scientists hypothesize that fecal microbiota transplant restores the recipient’s gut microbiota to an environment that mimics the healthy donor’s microbiota

Antimicrobial stewardship efforts focusing on accurate penicillin allergy histories, β-lactam cross-reactivity education, and guideline-driven narrow-spectrum prescribing may help sustainably decrease health care–associated Clostridioides difficile infection rates.

Living organisms rely on iron for survival and replication. Can new research discoveries disrupt C. difficile’s ability to maintain iron homeostasis?

Targeted use of ultraviolet light and sporicidal treatment can reduce disease transmission alongside existing interventions.

Sharon Rimon, NP, shares insights on the rectal administration of fecal microbiota therapy, highlighting its efficacy, ease of adoption in clinical practice, and benefits for patients.

Pharmacists can also ensure proper education and selection of therapy before and after discharge.

Since 2000, as the number of CDIs has surged, morbidity and mortality also have increased.

From newsworthy moments to groundbreaking research, these were the most-read Clostridioides difficile-related articles on Pharmacy Times in 2023.

Amiodarone also provides pan-variant protection against toxins, a potentially growing area of research in C. difficile infection treatment.

In the study, a new policy empowered unit-based pharmacists to evaluate the patient’s needs and, when safe, switch from a PPI to an H2 blocker.

The bacteria were shown to contain a membrane-bound organelle structure that is like those found in eukaryotic cells.

Iberzaplstat was non-inferior to standard of care vancomycin, was safe and tolerable, and will advance into a phase 3 trial.

Paul Feuerstadt, MD, FACG, AGAF, discusses insights in current treatment practices for CDI at the Peggy Lillis Foundation’s 2023 State of C diff Virtual Town Hall.

Routine screenings for C diff on admission to the hospital could possibly prevent C diff transmission in the hospital setting.

Patients who are immunocompromised generally had worse risk and severity of CDI.

With a new administration protocol created specifically for the routine clinic, infectious disease physicians can treat recurrent clostridioides difficile infection in less than 3 weeks.

Among individuals who received systemic antibiotics within 8 weeks, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months of receiving fecal microbiota, RBX2660 prevented recurrence.

Health-related quality of life scores were positively associated with log MHI and Bacteriodia, and negatively with Gammaproteobacteria and Bacilli.

Treatment-emergent adverse events associated with Rebyota for Clostridioides difficile infection were more prevalent in those with renal comorbidities than in those without and were moderate in severity as well as related to pre-existing conditions.

Study is the first to compare SARS-CoV-2–associated sepsis and presumed bacterial sepsis on mortality and incidence.

Not only did enterococci promote C. difficile pathogenesis, but it was also shown to provide fermentable amino acids, facilitating its virulence agitated gastrointestinal tracts.

Although antibiotics are the standard-of-care treatment for Clostridioides difficile infection, they can cause further microbiota changes that predispose patients to recurrence.

Investigators said that understanding virulence factors, resistance mechanisms, and host interactions can help establish the development of novel therapeutics for Clostridioides difficile.

Using metagenomic information, the technology isolates phages whose enzymes can specifically target the bacteria that causes C. difficile infection.

Investigators will continue to research RBX2660 in patients who are immunocompromised or who have chronic conditions with Clostridioides difficile infection.

Prior studies had produced conflicting results on whether the pandemic positively or negatively impacted health care-associated C. difficile infections, yet the results of this current study indicate the pandemic played a limited role.

New innovations are revolutionizing diagnostics and optimizing treatment outcomes, marking significant strides in the fight against digestive diseases.

CDI is difficult to contain in health care settings because some patients are unknowing carriers of the toxigenic strains of the infection.