C. Diff News and Research

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AGA guideline endorses fecal microbiota transplant as treatment for recurrent C. diff infection

In the first comprehensive evidence-based guideline on the use of fecal microbiota-based therapies for gastrointestinal disease, the American Gastroenterological Association recommends fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) for most patients with recurrent Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection.

21 Feb 2024

Doxycycline use may help protect against C. diff infection for some patients with pneumonia

A new study published today in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) reveals that the use of doxycycline may help protect against Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection for some patients with pneumonia.

2 Nov 2023

Strict pandemic-related IPC interventions reduced healthcare-associated infection rates, study shows

A new study conducted by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center suggests that enhanced infection prevention and control (IPC) measures implemented to address the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to a significant decrease in many healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and a reduction in respiratory viral infections (RVIs).

5 Oct 2023

Analyzing longitudinal genomic surveillance of carriage intensive care unit

Hospital staff spend a significant amount of time working to protect patients from acquiring infections while they are being cared for in the hospital.

19 Sep 2023

Study shows how NSAIDs exacerbate C. difficile infections

Why do nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) exacerbate gastrointestinal infections by Clostridioides difficile, the leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea worldwide?

19 Jul 2023

Testing policy change could reduce the burden of C. diff infections

A new study published today in the American Journal of Infection Control suggests that allowing bedside nurses to independently order testing for C. difficile significantly decreased the amount of time to receive test results as compared to requiring physician approval.

11 May 2023

Fecal microbiota transplant: Effective solution for recurrent C. difficile infections

Researchers provide an overview of fecal microbiota transplantation in treating recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection.

27 Apr 2023

Study reveals molecular mechanisms that give bacteria its 'superpowers' against antibiotics

A species of ordinary gut bacteria that we all carry flourishes when the intestinal flora is knocked out by a course of antibiotics. Since the bacteria is naturally resistant to many antibiotics, it causes problems, particularly in healthcare settings.

17 Apr 2023

Probiotic E. coli secretes proteins of therapeutic value into its surroundings

Humans are colonized with thousands of bacterial strains. Researchers are now focused on genetically modifying such bacteria to enhance their intrinsic therapeutic properties.

31 Mar 2023

The burden of Clostridioides difficile infections in the United States

Researchers review existing data on Clostridioides difficile infections among United States residents.

13 Mar 2023

The right combination of bile salt hydrolases may offer a new approach to treat C. diff

Not all probiotics are created equal. In a new study, researchers found that certain enzymes within a class known as bile salt hydrolases (BSHs) can restrict Clostridioides difficile (C. diff.) colonization by both altering existing bile acids and by creating a new class of bile acids within the gut's microbial environment.

13 Mar 2023

Research reveals how microorganisms found in the gut can worsen C. difficile infections

New research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine and collaborators reveals how microorganisms found in our guts can worsen dangerous C. difficile infections.

21 Dec 2022

Antibiotic-resistant, opportunistic pathogen enhances the pathogenesis of C. difficile

Clostridioides difficile, often referred to as C. difficile or C. diff, is a bacterium that causes severe intestinal illness and, as its name suggests, can be difficult to study and treat.

16 Nov 2022

Bacterial species known for causing diarrheal infections may also drive colorectal cancer

Data collected by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center and the Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy suggest that Clostridioides difficile, or C. diff, a bacterial species well known for causing serious diarrheal infections, may also drive colorectal cancer.

14 Jul 2022

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation found to be an optimal cost-effective treatment for recurrent C. difficile infection

Research recently published in Clinical Infectious Diseases from the University of Minnesota Medical School has found that Fecal Microbiota Transplantation, or FMT, is an optimal cost-effective treatment for first recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection, or CDI or C-Diff.

3 Jun 2022

Inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions for children associated with excess health-care costs

Antibiotics inappropriately prescribed to nonhospitalized children resulted in at least $74 million in excess health-care costs in the U.S. in 2017, according to a new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and The Pew Charitable Trusts.

26 May 2022

Antibiotics disrupt the immune system in the gut leading to fungal infection

Patients prescribed antibiotics in hospital are more likely to get fungal infections because of disruption to the immune system in the gut, according to a new study from the University of Birmingham and National Institutes of Health.

13 May 2022

Researchers use a systems biology approach to parse the genetic diversity of C. difficile

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and Jacobs School of Engineering, with colleagues at Baylor College of Medicine, have used a systems biology approach to parse the genetic diversity of Clostridioides difficile, a particularly problematic pathogen in health care settings.

27 Apr 2022

Researchers demonstrate how a narrow-spectrum antibiotic selectively targets C. diff

Most antibiotics are double-edged swords. Besides killing the pathogen they are prescribed for, they also decimate beneficial bacteria and change the composition of the gut microbiome.

6 Apr 2022

Spectacular structure of C.difficile's protective armor revealed

The spectacular structure of the protective armor of superbug C.difficile has been revealed for the first time showing the close-knit yet flexible outer layer – like chain mail.

25 Feb 2022