Gastrointestinal Infections

Stay up-to-date on the latest infectious disease news by checking out our top 5 articles of the week.

NIH researchers discovered that norovirus and rotavirus can be transmitted through cloaked viral clusters which exacerbate the spread and severity of disease.

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a widely accepted, safe, and effective treatment for recurrent Clostridium diffi­cile infection (rCDI), but does the cure endure?

Fidaxomicin and vancomycin are effective first-line therapies for Clostridium difficile, yet fidaxomicin may be more effective for achieving sustained symptomatic cure.

Alternative agents are often broader spectrum than ß-lactams, subjecting patients to collateral damage and subsequent selection for resistant organisms and Clostridium difficile.

The updated guidelines recommend targeting those with active infection and avoiding treatment of “carriers” of C difficile who are colonized but not symptomatic.

The CDC and FDA are investigating a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora linked with vegetable trays produced by Del Monte Fresh Produce.

Stay up-to-date on the latest infectious disease news by checking out our top 5 articles of the week.

Sixty-nine out of the 70 colistin-resistant isolates had either mcr-1 and/or mcr-3 genes.

McGill University researchers find that infection with C difficile might more likely be linked to infected than colonized donors.

The California Department of Public Health warns consumers to avoid the consumption of raw oysters harvested in British Columbia due to risk of contamination.

A newly identified porcine virus has been found to be able to get into human cells in the laboratory setting.

A new study suggests that for simple PCR-based detection of C. diff, dry rectal swabs were an effective substitute to the use of stool samples.

A recent review article looks at literature exploring risk factors and C. diff epidemiology to inform future preventive strategies.

An economic evaluation finds that a bundled approach of stronger hand hygiene and improved environmental cleaning proved to be the best combination for reducing C. diff.

A recent study finds high dose of oral vancomycin may be optimal treatment for C. difficile.

Data from the IGNITE4 phase 3 trial supports the use of eravacycline for the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI), including infections caused by pathogens resistant to other antibiotics.

Dr. Thomas Sandora shares recent data on screening for asymptomatic carriage of Clostridium difficile and provides insight into what the preferred first-line treatment for the infection in children.

Stay up-to-date on the latest infectious disease news by checking out our top 5 articles of the week.

One dose of microbiota-based therapy proved more effective than 2 at wiping out recurrent C. difficile infection.

Given the impressive efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on decreasing recurrence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), the next logical step is seeing how it works for hospitalized patients with CDI.

SMUCLA implements high-touch wipe down intervention to address the need for environmental disinfection of cancer patient care areas.

Dr. Richard Vickers, discusses C. difficile rates in the United Kingdom.

Investigators develop a statistical model predicting which bacterial strains will engraft after FMT.

Stay up-to-date on the latest infectious disease news by checking out our top 5 articles of the week.

Fecal transplantation and molecular testing are among the new recommendations.

Dr. Richard Vickers, discusses what the next steps are for Summit Therapeutic’s ridinilazole.

Following an outbreak of norovirus in Pyeongchang ahead of the Winter Olympics, health officials are taking steps to stem the outbreak and keep attendees healthy.

Edmond Hooker, MD, DrPH, stresses that the FDA and the CDC need to intervene to ensure that hospital mattresses get cleaned appropriately.

Barley Chironda, RPN, CIC, stresses that understanding what motivates health care workers’ actions is crucial for reducing C. diff rates in hospitals.