C. Difficile

At this week’s ID Week, Ferring Pharmaceuticals shares results from its outpatient study examining its treatment, Rebyota, for the prevention of recurrence.

The study indicates that targeting the sympathetic nervous system could improve CDI management, as a novel multi-target mRNA vaccine was shown to protect mice from lethal doses.

Healthcare workers receiving additional COVID-19 vaccine doses had fewer ongoing symptoms, a new test differentiates bacterial from viral infections, CDC reports 10 deaths linked to ongoing listeria outbreak, and more this week from Contagion.

This study highlights fidaxomicin’s advantages over vancomycin, including lower recurrence rates of CDI and higher sustained clinical responses.

Get caught up with the latest study information, feedback from people in the field, and news on the latest investigational therapies.

This week, a push for better care standards for C difficile, a survey shows low vaccination rates for respiratory viruses among Americans, Georgia achieves a reduction in chronic hepatitis C infections through collaborative efforts, and more.

The latest data highlight ibezapolstat’s effects on gut microbiome health and systemic exposure, crucial for CDI treatment, while also indicating its potential against Bacillus anthracis, prompting plans for a bioterrorism development initiative.

Study halted due to ineffective results, but the findings still provide valuable insights for future research and improve treatment strategies for those affected by CDI.

Maryann Webb’s harrowing, personal experience with C diff, along with her professional work with federal agencies has prepared her for a life in advocacy with the Peggy Lillis Foundation. She wants to see the fecal microbiota transplant become more accessible and is working with Congress to make the infection a notifiable infectious disease.

Cross-regional strains may spread more effectively in the community, highlighting the need for ongoing molecular surveillance to monitor their prevalence and detect potential changes.

A new study looked at Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and C difficile infection (CDI) and their formation of symbiotic biofilms in the antibiotic's environment, and underscore the complexity of CDI prevention and the importance of considering gut microbiomes in treatment strategies.

Adults with type 2 diabetes taking metformin have a 13% to 21% lower risk of developing Long COVID or dying from COVID-19, recent analyses question the effectiveness of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and molnupiravir against new variants, and more this week from Contagion.

Jeanine Thomas, president and founder of MRSA Survivors Network, talks about her personal battle with osteomyelitis, her work as an advocate, and the need for data and awareness to bring it to the forefront again.

By analyzing 38 strains from patients, researchers identified clusters linked to frequent room changes, highlighting the need for improved infection control measures.

Focusing on the treatment of patients with C. difficile infections, Carl V. Crawford, MD, provides clinical insights on medication tapering practices and therapies being utilized by clinicians.

Matthew D. Sims, MD, PhD, FACP, FIDSA, discuss how antibiotics do not completely eliminate C. difficile infections, the drivers of recurrence, and new treatments that are addressing eubiosis and C. difficile spores.

This week, World AMR Congress interviews, Long COVID’s toll on the brain, e coli outbreak linked to lettuce, and more.

C diff remains a major healthcare burden globally, with over 225,000 hospitalizations in the US alone. Over half of these cases had recent antibiotic exposure, underlining the significant relationship between antibiotic use and the risk of the healthcare-associated infection.

Crestone’s novel therapy, CRS3123, demonstrated 97% clinical cure rate in small phase 2 study.

Debra Goff, PharmD, discusses her advocacy around this topic and bringing the stewardship message to dentists about how antibiotic prescribing practices have changed and getting them to recalibrate their thinking and actions in their field.

Experts on C. difficile infections give an overview of the ACG and IDSA/SHEA treatment guidelines for initial infection, first recurrence, and subsequent recurrences.

Paul Feuerstadt, MD, FACG, AGAF, provides clinical insights on diagnostic testing practices for C. difficile infections, highlighting the EIA, GDH, and PCR assays.

Sahil Khanna, MBBS, MS, outlines patients at risk for recurrent C. difficile infections, and Teena Chopra, MD, MPH, FACP, FIDSA, FSHEA, focuses on environmental considerations that can help prevent transmission.

Carl V. Crawford, MD, outlines the risk factors for C. difficile infections, focusing on factors that affect the body’s microbiome or immune system, including antibiotics, age, comorbid conditions, exposures, and prior C. difficile infections.

This week, MP Biomedicals launched rapid diagnostic tests for gastrointestinal pathogens, Invivyd's monoclonal antibody pemivibart shows an 84% reduction in symptomatic COVID-19 risk, Nestlé is acquiring global rights to the Vowst therapy for CDI, and more.

A study on vancomycin treatment, new data on the investigational Pfizer C diff vaccine, how individual antibiotics are ranked by risk for C difficile infection, and more.

The Phase 3 CLOVER trial still showed safety and potential benefits by reducing C difficile infection duration, medical attention needs, and antibiotic use.

Teena Chopra, MD, MPH, FACP, FIDSA, FSHEA, and Matthew D. Sims, MD, PhD, FACP, FIDSA, provide clinical insights on the rate of recurrence of C. difficile infections and the impact on patients.

A panel of experts provide an overview of the epidemiology of Clostridioides difficile infections, highlighting diagnostic practices and the role of antimicrobial stewardship.

In the second part of our interview with Christian Lillis, cofounder and CEO of the Peggy Lillis Foundation, he discusses what the passage of the Peggy Lillis Clostridioides difficile Inclusion Act would do for reporting of the infection as well as the potential ancillary effects around antibiotic development and antimicrobial resistance.