Treatment of Clostridium difficile infections

Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2015 Mar;29(1):93-108. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2014.11.005. Epub 2015 Jan 5.

Abstract

Vancomycin and metronidazole were historically considered equivalent therapies for the management of Clostridium difficile infections (CDI); however, recent data confirm more favorable outcomes with vancomycin. Fidaxomicin is a narrow spectrum antibiotic that has an advantage in reducing recurrence rates compared with vancomycin, possibly owing to its sparing effect on normal colonic microbiota. Data are limited for guiding management of CDI recurrences, particularly multiple recurrences. Several empiric approaches to manage these cases are reviewed.

Keywords: Antibiotic; Clostridium difficile; Treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aminoglycosides / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Clostridioides difficile*
  • Clostridium Infections* / drug therapy
  • Clostridium Infections* / microbiology
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Fidaxomicin
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / drug therapy
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Metronidazole / therapeutic use
  • Nitro Compounds
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Recurrence
  • Rifamycins / therapeutic use
  • Rifaximin
  • Thiazoles / therapeutic use
  • Vancomycin / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Aminoglycosides
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Nitro Compounds
  • Rifamycins
  • Thiazoles
  • Metronidazole
  • Vancomycin
  • Rifaximin
  • nitazoxanide
  • Fidaxomicin