Incidence of C difficile infection has been increasing over the past two decades, accounting for nearly 460,000 cases of illness and 20,000 deaths annually in the United States.
Antibiotic treatment is the standard of care for C difficile infection, but the treatment can disrupt a patient's gastrointestinal microbiome, thereby contributing to the risk for disease recurrence.
Recurrence rates are proven to increase with each episode of C difficile, making prevention essential.
In this ReCAP, Dr David Johnson, of Eastern Virginia Medical School, discusses treatment options to avoid recurrence. He considers multiple means of prevention, including disinfection, infusions of monoclonal antibodies, and the latest advances in fecal microbiota-based biotherapies. Dr Johnson provides data regarding the success rates of pharmaceutical-grade options for prevention of relapse of C difficile.
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David A. Johnson, MD, Professor of Medicine, Chief of Gastroenterology, Eastern Virginia Medical School; Chief of Gastroenterology, Digestive and Liver Disease Specialists, Division of Capital Digestive Care, Norfolk, Virginia
David A. Johnson, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:
Serve(d) on a board for: ACG Institute for Clinical Research and Education; Adjudication Board Parexel
Serve(d) as a consultant for: Johnson & Johnson; Isothrive
Received research grant from: ISOThrive
Have a 5% or greater equity interest in: American College of Gastroenterology
Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Parexel; Johnson & Johnson