Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2025
12:58
A Protocol to Characterize the Morphological Changes of Clostridium difficile in Response to Antibiotic Treatment
Published on: May 25, 2017
9.0K
Therapeutics for Clostridioides difficile infection: molecules and microbes
1Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology
|August 22, 2023
Summary
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) management has evolved, with oral vancomycin or fidaxomicin preferred for initial episodes. New microbiome-based therapies and a monoclonal antibody aid in preventing recurrent CDI.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) presents a significant healthcare challenge, particularly recurrent cases.
- Recent years have seen advancements in CDI treatment and prevention strategies.
- The US FDA has approved four new products for CDI treatment or recurrence prevention since 2011.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current and emerging therapeutics for Clostridioides difficile infection.
- To cover primary prevention, active infection management, and recurrent CDI prevention.
- To include data on fecal microbiota transplantation and live biotherapeutics.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search of multiple databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, Scopus) up to May 1, 2023.
- Focus on therapeutic interventions for CDI.
- Inclusion of data on microbiome-based therapies and monoclonal antibodies.
Main Results:
- Metronidazole is no longer recommended for outpatient CDI.
- Oral vancomycin or fidaxomicin are preferred for first CDI episodes.
- Fidaxomicin or vancomycin taper-pulse regimens are options for recurrent CDI.
- Intravenous bezlotoxumab is approved for preventing CDI recurrence.
- Two FDA-approved live biotherapeutics are available for recurrent CDI prevention.
- Fecal microbiota transplantation remains an option for recurrent CDI in select cases.
Conclusions:
- Treatment guidelines for CDI have shifted, emphasizing specific oral agents for initial episodes.
- Novel therapeutic options, including microbiome-based therapies and monoclonal antibodies, offer new strategies for preventing recurrent CDI.
- The landscape of CDI management continues to evolve with the introduction of new FDA-approved agents.
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