C. Difficile

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.

The study found that vancomycin is more effective than metronidazole in achieving event-free survival for C difficile infections across all infection severity levels.

Jeffery Silber MD, highlights VE303's consistent formulation as an advantage over traditional fecal transplants and discusses how the trial's patient-centric approach aims to improve outcomes and reduce healthcare-associated infections.

Individual antibiotics are ranked by risk for C difficile infection in an analysis of both randomized controlled trials and national adverse event reports.

Peggy Lillis Foundation CEO Christian Lillis talks about how he became involved in advocacy around C diff and his motivation in helping to bring a bill to Congress to make the healthcare-associated infection a nationally notifiable infectious disease and condition.

Enhanced diagnostic and surveillance measures for hypervirulent pathogens, new CDC safety data on RSV vaccines showing rare risks, updated IDSA guidance for managing antimicrobial-resistant infections, and more this week from Contagion.

Here is a review of the most up-to-date information around the infection.

A bill in the House of Representatives was just introduced with the advocacy of the Peggy Lillis Foundation in hopes of bringing more recognition and research to the healthcare-associated infection.

A hospital CDI intervention program that supported patients via an ID specialist demonstrated clinical benefits compared to another hospital where patients were followed by providers of any specialty.

A secondary analysis of a randomized trial points to limited benefits on the microbiota.

This week, NYC has revealed high rates of Hepatitis C virus reinfection, SHEA tackles antimicrobial resistance amidst challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, and more this week from Contagion.

This week, the resurgence of leptospirosis in Wyoming, insights on COVID-19 reinfection severity, avian influenza cases in the US, challenges in medical communication amid scientific advancements, recent FDA recalls, and more from Contagion.

Mutations in YabG affect spore germination and substrate processing, offering insights into its essential functions in the lifecycle of C diff.