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Di Bella S, Sanson G, Monticelli J, Zerbato V, Principe L, Giuffrè M, Pipitone G, Luzzati R. Clostridioides difficile infection: history, epidemiology, risk factors, prevention, clinical manifestations, treatment, and future options. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024; 37:e0013523. [PMID: 38421181 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00135-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYClostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is one of the major issues in nosocomial infections. This bacterium is constantly evolving and poses complex challenges for clinicians, often encountered in real-life scenarios. In the face of CDI, we are increasingly equipped with new therapeutic strategies, such as monoclonal antibodies and live biotherapeutic products, which need to be thoroughly understood to fully harness their benefits. Moreover, interesting options are currently under study for the future, including bacteriophages, vaccines, and antibiotic inhibitors. Surveillance and prevention strategies continue to play a pivotal role in limiting the spread of the infection. In this review, we aim to provide the reader with a comprehensive overview of epidemiological aspects, predisposing factors, clinical manifestations, diagnostic tools, and current and future prophylactic and therapeutic options for C. difficile infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Di Bella
- Clinical Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Trieste University, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Sanson
- Clinical Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Trieste University, Trieste, Italy
| | - Jacopo Monticelli
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Trieste University Hospital (ASUGI), Trieste, Italy
| | - Verena Zerbato
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Trieste University Hospital (ASUGI), Trieste, Italy
| | - Luigi Principe
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Great Metropolitan Hospital "Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli", Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Mauro Giuffrè
- Clinical Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Trieste University, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine (Digestive Diseases), Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Giuseppe Pipitone
- Infectious Diseases Unit, ARNAS Civico-Di Cristina Hospital, Palermo, Italy
| | - Roberto Luzzati
- Clinical Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Trieste University, Trieste, Italy
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The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Clostridioides difficile Infection. Dis Colon Rectum 2021; 64:650-668. [PMID: 33769319 DOI: 10.1097/dcr.0000000000002047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Tigecycline for the treatment of patients with Clostridium difficile infection: an update of the clinical evidence. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2020; 39:1053-1058. [DOI: 10.1007/s10096-019-03756-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Nana T, Moore C, Boyles T, Brink AJ, Cleghorn J, Devenish LM, du Toit B, Fredericks ES, Lekalakala-Mokaba MR, Maluleka C, Rajabally MN, Reubenson G, Shuping L, Swart K, Swe Han KS, Wadula J, Wojno J, Lowman W. South African Society of Clinical Microbiology Clostridioides difficile infection diagnosis, management and infection prevention and control guideline. S Afr J Infect Dis 2020; 35:219. [PMID: 34485483 PMCID: PMC8378053 DOI: 10.4102/sajid.v35i1.219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a problem in both developed and developing countries and is a common hospital-acquired infection. This guideline provides evidence-based practical recommendations for South Africa and other developing countries. The scope of the guideline includes CDI diagnostic approaches; adult, paediatric and special populations treatment options; and surveillance and infection prevention and control recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trusha Nana
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital Microbiology Laboratory, National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Tom Boyles
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian J. Brink
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Joy Cleghorn
- Life Healthcare Group, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Lesley M. Devenish
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Infection Control Services Laboratory, National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Ernst S. Fredericks
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Molebogeng R. Lekalakala-Mokaba
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
- Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital Microbiology Laboratory, National Health Laboratory Services, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Caroline Maluleka
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
- Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital Microbiology Laboratory, National Health Laboratory Services, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | - Gary Reubenson
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Liliwe Shuping
- Centre for Healthcare-Associated Infections, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, a division of National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Karin Swart
- Netcare Hospitals Limited, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Khine Swe Swe Han
- Medical Microbiology Department, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital Academic Complex, National Health Laboratory Services, Durban, South Africa
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Jeannette Wadula
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital Microbiology Laboratory, National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Warren Lowman
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, PathCare/Vermaak Pathologists, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Prevention and Control, WITS Donald Gordon Medical Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Abstract
Clostridioides difficile (formerly Clostridium) is a major cause of healthcare associated diarrhea, and is increasingly present in the community. Historically, C difficile infection was considered easy to diagnose and treat. Over the past two decades, however, diagnostic techniques have changed in line with a greater understanding of the physiopathology of C difficile infection and the use of new therapeutic molecules. The evolution of diagnosis showed there was an important under- and misdiagnosis of C difficile infection, emphasizing the importance of algorithms recommended by European and North American infectious diseases societies to obtain a reliable diagnosis. Previously, metronidazole was considered the reference drug to treat C difficile infection, but more recently vancomycin and other newer drugs are shown to have higher cure rates. Recurrence of infection represents a key parameter in the evaluation of new drugs, and the challenge is to target the right population with the adapted therapeutic molecule. In multiple recurrences, fecal microbiota transplantation is recommended. New approaches, including antibodies, vaccines, and new molecules are already available or in the pipeline, but more data are needed to support the inclusion of these in practice guidelines. This review aims to provide a baseline for clinicians to understand and stratify their choice in the diagnosis and treatment of C difficile infection based on the most recent data available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoit Guery
- Infectious Diseases Service, Department of Medicine, University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- French Group of Faecal Microbiota Transplantation
- European Study Group on Host and Microbiota Interactions
- European Study Group on Clostridium difficile
| | - Tatiana Galperine
- Infectious Diseases Service, Department of Medicine, University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- French Group of Faecal Microbiota Transplantation
| | - Frédéric Barbut
- National Reference Laboratory for Clostridium difficile, Paris, France
- INSERM, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
- European Study Group on Clostridium difficile
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Abstract
Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) represents one of the most serious nosocomial infections that have grown dramatically over the past decade. Vancomycin and metronidazole are currently used as a standard therapy for CDI. Metronidazole is recommended as a first-line therapy for mild-to-moderate infections and vancomycin is mainly used for severe and/or refractory cases. However, studies have demonstrated that there are quite high CDI relapse rates with both of these medications, which represents a challenge for clinicians. Over the last decade, a number of newer and novel therapeutic options have emerged as promising alternatives to these standard CDI therapies. The following review provides the updated summaries of these newer therapeutic agents and their status in the treatment of CDI.
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Petrosillo N, Granata G, Cataldo MA. Novel Antimicrobials for the Treatment of Clostridium difficile Infection. Front Med (Lausanne) 2018; 5:96. [PMID: 29713630 PMCID: PMC5911476 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2018.00096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The current picture of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is alarming with a mortality rate ranging between 3% and 15% and a CDI recurrence rate ranging from 12% to 40%. Despite the great efforts made over the past 10 years to face the CDI burden, there are still gray areas in our knowledge on CDI management. The traditional anti-CDI antimicrobials are not always adequate in addressing the current needs in CDI management. The aim of our review is to give an update on novel antimicrobials for the treatment of CDI, considering the currently available evidences on their efficacy, safety, molecular mechanism of action, and their probability to be successfully introduced into the clinical practice in the near future. We identified, through a PubMed search, 16 novel antimicrobial molecules under study for CDI treatment: cadazolid, surotomycin, ridinilazole, LFF571, ramoplanin, CRS3123, fusidic acid, nitazoxanide, rifampin, rifaximin, tigecycline, auranofin, NVB302, thuricin CD, lacticin 3147, and acyldepsipeptide antimicrobials. In comparison with the traditional anti-CDI antimicrobial treatment, some of the novel antimicrobials reviewed in this study offer several advantages, i.e., the favorable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile, the narrow-spectrum activity against CD that implicates a low impact on the gut microbiota composition, the inhibitory activity on CD sporulation and toxins production. Among these novel antimicrobials, the most active compounds in reducing spore production are cadazolid, ridinilazole, CRS3123, ramoplanin and, potentially, the acyldepsipeptide antimicrobials. These antimicrobials may potentially reduce CD environment spread and persistence, thus reducing CDI healthcare-associated acquisition. However, some of them, i.e., surotomycin, fusidic acid, etc., will not be available due to lack of superiority versus standard of treatment. The most CD narrow-spectrum novel antimicrobials that allow to preserve microbiota integrity are cadazolid, ridinilazole, auranofin, and thuricin CD. In conclusion, the novel antimicrobial molecules under development for CDI have promising key features and advancements in comparison to the traditional anti-CDI antimicrobials. In the near future, some of these new molecules might be effective alternatives to fight CDI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Petrosillo
- Clinical and Research Department for Infectious Diseases, Unit Systemic and Immunedepression-Associated Infections, National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - Guido Granata
- Clinical and Research Department for Infectious Diseases, Unit Systemic and Immunedepression-Associated Infections, National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Adriana Cataldo
- Clinical and Research Department for Infectious Diseases, Unit Systemic and Immunedepression-Associated Infections, National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
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Prechter F, Katzer K, Bauer M, Stallmach A. Sleeping with the enemy: Clostridium difficile infection in the intensive care unit. CRITICAL CARE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE CRITICAL CARE FORUM 2017; 21:260. [PMID: 29058580 PMCID: PMC5651627 DOI: 10.1186/s13054-017-1819-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Revised: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Over the last years, there was an increase in the number and severity of Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) in all medical settings, including the intensive care unit (ICU). The current prevalence of CDI among ICU patients is estimated at 0.4–4% and has severe impact on morbidity and mortality. An estimated 10–20% of patients are colonized with C. difficile without showing signs of infection and spores can be found throughout ICUs. It is not yet possible to predict whether and when colonization will become infection. Figuratively speaking, our patients are sleeping with the enemy and we do not know when this enemy awakens. Most patients developing CDI in the ICU show a mild to moderate disease course. Nevertheless, difficult-to-treat severe and complicated cases also occur. Treatment failure is particularly frequent in ICU patients due to comorbidities and the necessity of continued antibiotic treatment. This review will give an overview of current diagnostic, therapeutic, and prophylactic challenges and options with a special focus on the ICU patient. First, we focus on diagnosis and prognosis of disease severity. This includes inconsistencies in the definition of disease severity as well as diagnostic problems. Proceeding from there, we discuss that while at first glance the choice of first-line treatment for CDI in the ICU is a simple matter guided by international guidelines, there are a number of specific problems and inconsistencies. We cover treatment in severe CDI, the problem of early recognition of treatment failure, and possible concepts of intensifying treatment. In conclusion, we mention methods for CDI prevention in the ICU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Prechter
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07743, Jena, Germany.
| | - Katrin Katzer
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Michael Bauer
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07743, Jena, Germany.,Center for Sepsis Control & Care, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Andreas Stallmach
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07743, Jena, Germany.,Center for Sepsis Control & Care, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07743, Jena, Germany
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Quelle place pour la tigécycline aujourd’hui ? MEDECINE INTENSIVE REANIMATION 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s13546-017-1281-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Gergely Szabo B, Kadar B, Szidonia Lenart K, Dezsenyi B, Kunovszki P, Fried K, Kamotsay K, Nikolova R, Prinz G. Use of intravenous tigecycline in patients with severe Clostridium difficile infection: a retrospective observational cohort study. Clin Microbiol Infect 2016; 22:990-995. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2016.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2016] [Revised: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 08/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Abstract
Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is an anaerobic, Gram-positive, spore-forming, toxin-secreting bacillus. It is transmitted via a fecal-oral route and can be found in 1-3 % of the healthy population. Symptoms caused by C. difficile range from uncomplicated diarrhea to a toxic megacolon. The incidence, frequency of recurrence, and mortality rate of C. difficile infections (CDIs) have increased significantly over the past few decades. The most important risk factor is antibiotic treatment in elderly patients and patients with severe comorbidities. There is a screening test available to detect C. difficile-specific glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), which is produced by both toxigenic and non-toxigenic strains. To confirm CDIs, it is necessary to test for toxins in a fresh, liquid stool sample via polymerase chain reaction or an enzyme-coupled immune adsorption test. If CDIs are diagnosed, then ongoing antibiotic treatment should be ended. Metronidazole is used to treat mild cases, and vancomycin is recommended for severe cases. Vancomycin or fidaxomicin should be used to treat recurrences (10-25 % of patients). In cases with several recurrences, a treatment option is fecal microbiome transfer (FMT). The cure rate following FMT is approximately 80 %. The treatment of severe and complicated CDI with a threatening toxic megacolon remains problematic. The degree of evidence of medicated treatment in this situation is low; the significance of metronidazole i. v. as an additional therapeutic measure is controversial. Tigecycline i. v. is an alternative option. Surgical treatment must be considered in patients with a toxic megacolon or an acute abdomen.
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Shankar C, Nabarro LEB, Anandan S, Veeraraghavan B. Minocycline and Tigecycline: What Is Their Role in the Treatment of Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-Negative Organisms? Microb Drug Resist 2016; 23:437-446. [PMID: 27564414 DOI: 10.1089/mdr.2016.0043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Carbapenem-resistant organisms are increasingly common worldwide, particularly in India and are associated with high mortality rates especially in patients with severe infection such as bacteremia. Existing drugs such as carbapenems and polymyxins have a number of disadvantages, but remain the mainstay of treatment. The tetracycline class of antibiotics was first produced in the 1940s. Minocycline, tetracycline derivative, although licensed for treatment of wide range of infections, has not been considered for treatment of multidrug-resistant organisms until recently and needs further in vivo studies. Tigecycline, a derivative of minocycline, although with certain disadvantages, has been frequently used in the treatment of carbapenem-resistant organisms. In this article, we review the properties of minocycline and tigecycline, the common mechanisms of resistance, and assess their role in the management of carbapenem-resistant organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaitra Shankar
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College and Hospital , Vellore, India
| | - Laura E B Nabarro
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College and Hospital , Vellore, India
| | - Shalini Anandan
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College and Hospital , Vellore, India
| | - Balaji Veeraraghavan
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College and Hospital , Vellore, India
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Fraga EG, Nicodemo AC, Sampaio JLM. Antimicrobial susceptibility of Brazilian Clostridium difficile strains determined by agar dilution and disk diffusion. Braz J Infect Dis 2016; 20:476-81. [PMID: 27542867 PMCID: PMC9425508 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjid.2016.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Revised: 04/29/2016] [Accepted: 07/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium difficile is a leading cause of diarrhea in hospitalized patients worldwide. While metronidazole and vancomycin are the most prescribed antibiotics for the treatment of this infection, teicoplanin, tigecycline and nitazoxanide are alternatives drugs. Knowledge on the antibiotic susceptibility profiles is a basic step to differentiate recurrence from treatment failure due to antimicrobial resistance. Because C. difficile antimicrobial susceptibility is largely unknown in Brazil, we aimed to determine the profile of C. difficile strains cultivated from stool samples of inpatients with diarrhea and a positive toxin A/B test using both agar dilution and disk diffusion methods. All 50 strains tested were sensitive to metronidazole according to CLSI and EUCAST breakpoints with an MIC90 value of 2μg/mL. Nitazoxanide and tigecycline were highly active in vitro against these strains with an MIC90 value of 0.125μg/mL for both antimicrobials. The MIC90 were 4μg/mL and 2μg/mL for vancomycin and teicoplanin, respectively. A resistance rate of 8% was observed for moxifloxacin. Disk diffusion can be used as an alternative to screen for moxifloxacin resistance, nitazoxanide, tigecycline and metronidazole susceptibility, but it cannot be used for testing glycopeptides. Our results suggest that C. difficile strains from São Paulo city, Brazil, are susceptible to metronidazole and have low MIC90 values for most of the current therapeutic options available in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edmir Geraldo Fraga
- Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Moléstias Infecciosas e Parasitárias, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Antonio Carlos Nicodemo
- Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Moléstias Infecciosas e Parasitárias, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Jorge Luiz Mello Sampaio
- Fleury Medicina e Saúde, Seção de Microbiologia, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Faculdade de Farmácia, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Clostridium difficile infections are a leading cause of healthcare facility outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness that may have serious complications and a high rate of recurrent disease. Despite the availability of standard antibiotic treatments, data from national surveillance programs indicate that the incidence of this disease continues to increase, placing a heavy burden on healthcare systems. New emerging strategies are being tested to replace or augment these standard antibiotics. AREAS COVERED Thirty-two current investigational agents focusing on different strategies for both prevention and treatment of C. difficile infections are reviewed. Data was gathered from a literature search of public databases for published trials from 1999-November 13, 2015 and from the author's compendium of knowledge. Agents reviewed included 13 antibiotics, two antibiotic inactivators, seven bacteria or yeasts acting to enhance the normal microbiome, seven immunizing agents and three toxin binders. Of the 32 investigational treatments reviewed, 8 (25%) showed significant efficacy in phase II or III clinical trials and are actively being developed as new therapies for C. difficile infections. EXPERT OPINION A number of potential treatments have floundered during their development process, while others have shown promising results. The strongest efficacy has been in the areas of newer antibiotics, probiotics, monoclonal antibodies and vaccines. By targeting the pathogenic pathway of C. difficile infections, multiple strategies for prevention and treatment have been developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynne V McFarland
- a Dept of Medicinal Chemistry , University of Washington , Seattle , WA , USA
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