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American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Series: #5-Management of Clostridioides difficile Infection
Carolyn D Alonso1, Gabriela Maron2, Mini Kamboj3
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Insights
Updated guidelines for hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) now focus on Clostridioides difficile infection, using a new FAQ format for clinical providers. These guidelines offer harmonized recommendations for managing infections in HCT patients.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Transplantation Medicine
- Hematology
Background:
- The American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy updated its 2009 infectious disease guidelines for hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT).
- A novel approach was adopted to better serve clinical providers, with each topic presented as a standalone, concise FAQ.
- This series aims to provide clear, actionable guidance for managing infections in HCT recipients.
Framework:
- Recommendations are developed by adult and pediatric infectious disease and HCT experts.
- A harmonized system assigns a strength of recommendation (A-E) and level of evidence (I-III).
- This structured framework ensures evidence-based and consistent guidance.
Implementation:
- The fifth guideline in the series specifically addresses Clostridioides difficile infection.
- Content is delivered through Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), tables, and figures for ease of use.
- Topics covered include prevalence, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of C. difficile.
Implications:
- This updated guideline provides crucial information for the clinical management of C. difficile infection in HCT patients.
- The FAQ format enhances accessibility and usability for healthcare providers.
- Harmonized recommendations support evidence-based decision-making in transplantation infectious disease.
Abstract:
The Practice Guidelines Committee of the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy partnered with its Transplant Infectious Disease Special Interest Group to update its 2009 compendium-style infectious disease guidelines for hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). A completely new approach was taken with the goal of better serving clinical providers by publishing each standalone topic in the infectious disease series as a concise format of frequently asked questions (FAQ), tables, and figures. Adult and pediatric infectious disease and HCT content experts developed and then answered FAQs and finalized topics with harmonized recommendations that were made by assigning an A through E strength of recommendation paired with a level of supporting evidence graded I through III. This fifth guideline in the series focuses on Clostridioides difficile infection with FAQs that address the prevalence, incidence, clinical features, colonization versus infection, clinical complications, diagnostic considerations, pharmacological therapies for episodic or recurrent infection, and the roles of prophylactic antibiotics, probiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation.