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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
09:12
A Protein Microarray Assay for Serological Determination of Antigen-specific Antibody Responses Following Clostridium difficile Infection
Published on: June 15, 2018
Intravenous immunoglobulin for resistant Clostridium difficile infection
1Department of Geriatric Medicine, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, UK. drclmurphy@aol.com
Age and Ageing
|November 24, 2005
Summary
Relapsing Clostridium difficile (CD) infection can be challenging. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) offers a promising treatment option for patients unresponsive to standard therapies, potentially aiding immune response to CD toxins.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Clostridium difficile (CD)-associated diarrhea and colitis frequently relapse in up to 20% of patients.
- Standard treatments including metronidazole, vancomycin, rifampicin, cholestyramine, and probiotics may fail in refractory cases.
Observation:
- A patient with persistent, relapsing CD-associated diarrhea demonstrated no improvement over six months despite various monotherapy and combination treatments.
- Rapid resolution of diarrhea was observed following a short, three-day course of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).
Findings:
- Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy was effective in resolving severe, treatment-refractory Clostridium difficile (CD)-associated diarrhea.
- This suggests IVIG may compensate for a deficient host immune response to CD toxins.
Implications:
- Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) should be considered as a therapeutic option for patients with relapsing Clostridium difficile (CD)-associated diarrhea who do not respond to conventional treatments.
- This approach may represent a novel strategy for managing refractory C. difficile infections by modulating the immune response.
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