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Fecal Microbiota Transplantation via Colonoscopy for Recurrent C. difficile Infection
Published on: December 8, 2014
Clostridium difficile infection in solid organ transplant recipients
David J Riddle1, Erik R Dubberke
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
Current Opinion in Organ Transplantation
|December 9, 2008
Summary
Clostridium difficile infection is a growing threat, especially in solid organ transplant recipients. Early diagnosis and tailored treatment based on severity are crucial for managing this significant pathogen.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Transplantation Medicine
- Microbiology
Background:
- Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) incidence is rising globally.
- Hypervirulent strains contribute to increased disease severity.
- Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are a vulnerable population for CDI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current understanding of CDI in SOT recipients.
- To highlight recent findings on disease evaluation and management.
- To emphasize risk factors and diagnostic challenges in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent publications on CDI in SOT recipients.
- Analysis of disease incidence, severity, and treatment efficacy.
- Synthesis of evidence regarding risk factors and infection control.
Main Results:
- CDI is increasingly prevalent and severe, particularly due to hypervirulent strains.
- Disease severity should guide initial treatment decisions.
- Vancomycin demonstrates superiority over metronidazole for severe CDI.
Conclusions:
- CDI poses a significant threat to SOT recipients due to unique risk factors.
- Early diagnosis and treatment are essential, requiring a high index of suspicion.
- Treatment strategies should be stratified by severity, with surgery considered for severe cases; infection control is paramount.
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