
A new study has said that fecal transplantation through colonoscopy is an effective treatment for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). The study is published in Gastroenterology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association.
Additionally, the mortality rate in this study does not appear to be greater than in some previously reported series, suggesting that fecal transplantation itself seems to be a rather safe procedure. CDI is a common cause of both community- and hospital-acquired diarrhea, usually occurring after exposure to antibiotics.
"Our results suggest that fecal transplantation is clearly better than any other treatment for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection," said Eero Mattila, MD, of Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland, and lead author of this study. "Although fecal transplantation is not simple to perform and it has potential risks, it is an effective option."
During the past few years, CDI has become more frequent, more severe, more resistent to standard treatment, and more likely to relapse. Current treatment with antibiotics is suboptimal and has limited efficacy, leading to recurrences in up to 50 percent of patients. However, a number of new approaches have been used to treat multiple CDI recurrences, and currently, there are a few attractive treatment options for relapsing disease.
Source: Eurekalert
Advertisement
|