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Fecal Microbiota Transplantation via Colonoscopy for Recurrent C. difficile Infection
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Treatment of recurrent Clostridium difficile colitis: a narrative review

Roy J Hopkins1, Robert B Wilson1

  • 1Department of Upper GI Surgery, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Gastroenterology Report
|February 27, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) poses a significant healthcare challenge due to high treatment failure and recurrence rates. This review explores current and future therapeutic strategies for managing recurrent CDI.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a leading cause of infectious diarrhea in hospitalized patients, particularly in high-income countries.
  • The incidence of C. difficile infections (CDI) has increased significantly, with high rates of treatment failure and recurrence.
  • Recurrent CDI leads to substantial patient morbidity and places a significant burden on healthcare systems.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current treatment options for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection.
  • To explore emerging and future therapeutic strategies for managing recurrent CDI.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current treatments for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection.
  • Exploration of future therapeutic directions for recurrent CDI.

Main Results:

  • A significant percentage of patients experience treatment failure and recurrence after initial antibiotic therapy for CDI.
  • Current management strategies for recurrent CDI include antibiotics, probiotics, fecal transplants, anion resins, and secondary bile acids.
  • Novel approaches like anti-toxin antibodies are being investigated.

Conclusions:

  • Recurrent Clostridium difficile infection presents a major clinical challenge with limited effective treatment options.
  • A range of therapeutic modalities, from established to novel, are available or under investigation for recurrent CDI.
  • Further research into effective and durable treatments for recurrent CDI is crucial.

Keywords:
Clostridium difficileanion-binding resinsfaecal microbiota transplantmonoclonal antibodiesrecurrent infectionsecondary bile acid

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