New developments in chemotherapeutic options for Clostridium difficile colitis.
Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2013 Oct;26(5):461-70
Authors: Ritter AS, Petri WA
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs) are of increasing concern in healthcare due to increasing incidence as well as suboptimal response to standard therapies. This review focuses on current updates in chemotherapeutic treatment options for primary CDI as well as for relapse.
RECENT FINDINGS: Metronidazole and vancomycin remain the standard therapy for mild and severe CDI, respectively. Fidaxomicin was approved for use in CDI by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2011 and new studies have shown a decreased rate of recurrence as compared with vancomycin as well as potential promise for use as a chaser. Rifaximin may be useful in salvage therapy for recurrent CDI as well as for a chaser. Tigecycline, teicoplanin, doxycycline, linezolid, nitazoxanide, amixicile, LFF571, and CB-183 315 have in-vitro activity and are under different stages of study. Monoclonal antitoxin antibodies for prevention of relapse of CDI are currently under evaluation in a phase 3 clinical trial.
SUMMARY: A variety of promising new treatment options for Clostridium difficile are under development, although further studies are necessary to determine the efficacy of these newer treatments for cure and preventing disease relapse.
PMID: 23982237 [PubMed - in process]