Clostridium difficile, or C. diff, is a common bacterium that can take advantage of an imbalance of intestinal
microbiota, most commonly triggered by antibiotic use. The imbalance
leads to C. diff overgrowth and infection, which can lead to multiple complications.
With the increased use of antibiotics, C. diff infection (CDI) has reached epidemic proportions in the United States and other regions around the world. Unfortunately, infection recurs in
up to 30% of patients. With each subsequent recurrence, the
relapse rates increase significantly.
Clostridium Difficile Epidemic Should Concern People at Home As Well
The Clostridium difficile bacteria poses a major health threat without proper infection prevention in hospitals and now homes, cautions a Case Western Reserve University infection control researcher.
Advertisement
‘Fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) is gaining in prominence, and the future of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) treatment will involve more advanced forms of FMT, such as capsules, probiotics and prebiotics.’
Tweet it Now
CDI has become the leading cause of hospital-associated infections and a major source of morbidity and mortality for hospitalized patients. Studies estimate the hospital cost in the United States for CDI alone is more than $3.2 billion per year.
An article in the current issue of 'AACN Advanced Critical Care, Clostridium Difficile Infection and Fecal Microbiota Transplant,' reviews the epidemiology of CDI, clinical presentation of infection, diagnosis and various therapies including fecal microbiota transplant (FMT).
![Alternative to Antibiotics Found for Deadly Clostridium Difficile Infection]( "Alternative to Antibiotics Found for Deadly Clostridium Difficile Infection")
Antioxidant drug ebselen did not kill the bacteria. Rather, it disabled a toxin produced by the pathogen and prevented intestinal damage and inflammation.
An ancient remedy to treat severe diarrhea and other gastrointestinal ailments, FMT has become increasingly recognized as an effective therapy for multiple recurrent CDI.
Mentions of the novel therapy date back to fourth century China, with the practice later called "yellow soup."
Contemporary FMT aims to restore balanced and healthy bacteria in the colon through a transfer of donor feces and thus break the cycle of imbalance and infection, especially for those patients with recurring or nonresponsive CDI.
With a nearly 90% cure rate in many observational and randomized controlled trials since 2010, FMT has revolutionized the treatment of CDI and is becoming more widely used.
"FMT is gaining in prominence in many parts of the world, and the future of CDI treatment will most likely involve more advanced forms of FMT, such as capsules, advanced probiotics and prebiotics," said co-author Alyssa Liubakka, an internal medicine resident at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
The article about CDI and FMT is part of a symposium collection of articles focusing on new interventions in transplant in the July-September 2016 issue of the peer-reviewed journal. Other articles in the series:
• "Awake Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation as a Bridge to Lung Transplant"
• "Balloon Pumps Inserted Via the Subclavian Artery: Bridging the Way to Heart Transplant"
• "Antibody-Mediated Rejection in Solid Organ Transplant"
Symposium editor Michael Petty is a cardiothoracic clinical nurse specialist at the University of Minnesota Medical Center.
"Transplantation is advancing quickly, with new interventions and innovative therapies," Petty said. "Critical care nurses and other clinicians may provide care for candidates for transplant and patients with replacement organs, whether or not they work in a transplant center. This series can help them understand newer applications of traditional therapies and ones that are becoming more common."
Source: Newswise
Alternative to Antibiotics Found for Deadly Clostridium Difficile Infection
Antioxidant drug ebselen did not kill the bacteria. Rather, it disabled a toxin produced by the pathogen and prevented intestinal damage and inflammation.
Advertisement
An ancient remedy to treat severe diarrhea and other gastrointestinal ailments, FMT has become increasingly recognized as an effective therapy for multiple recurrent CDI.
Mentions of the novel therapy date back to fourth century China, with the practice later called "yellow soup."
Contemporary FMT aims to restore balanced and healthy bacteria in the colon through a transfer of donor feces and thus break the cycle of imbalance and infection, especially for those patients with recurring or nonresponsive CDI.
With a nearly 90% cure rate in many observational and randomized controlled trials since 2010, FMT has revolutionized the treatment of CDI and is becoming more widely used.
"FMT is gaining in prominence in many parts of the world, and the future of CDI treatment will most likely involve more advanced forms of FMT, such as capsules, advanced probiotics and prebiotics," said co-author Alyssa Liubakka, an internal medicine resident at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
The article about CDI and FMT is part of a symposium collection of articles focusing on new interventions in transplant in the July-September 2016 issue of the peer-reviewed journal. Other articles in the series:
• "Awake Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation as a Bridge to Lung Transplant"
• "Balloon Pumps Inserted Via the Subclavian Artery: Bridging the Way to Heart Transplant"
• "Antibody-Mediated Rejection in Solid Organ Transplant"
Symposium editor Michael Petty is a cardiothoracic clinical nurse specialist at the University of Minnesota Medical Center.
"Transplantation is advancing quickly, with new interventions and innovative therapies," Petty said. "Critical care nurses and other clinicians may provide care for candidates for transplant and patients with replacement organs, whether or not they work in a transplant center. This series can help them understand newer applications of traditional therapies and ones that are becoming more common."
Source: Newswise
Transplanting Fecal Matter can Help Treat Recurrent Clostridium Difficile Infection
A joint study suggests that people suffering from recurrent Clostridium difficile infection can be treated by transplanting fecal matter from healthy donors.
Advertisement
 Treating Clostridium Difficile Infection With Frozen Encapsulated Fecal MaterialA study has shown the potential of treating recurrent Clostridium difficile infection with oral administration of frozen encapsulated fecal material from unrelated donors, which resulted in an overall rate of resolution of diarrhea of 90 percent. | Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Reading
Latest Research News
Does omega-3 help Alzheimer's patients? A new form of omega-3 helped restore specific markers of eye health in mice bred with aspects of early-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Drugs used to inhibit the physiological responses for allergic reactions lessen osteoarthritis risk, revealed research.
The International Space Station will be used to carry out experiments seeking to improve understanding of incurable child brain tumors and the muscle aging process.
How many people in the UK have misophonia? In a representative sample study, most people had at least some irritation upon hearing trigger sounds.
Routine eye-checkups and mass screenings enable early diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma. Late-stage glaucoma diagnosis leads to blindness.