title: Treatment strategies for recurrent and refractory Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea.
abstract: Clostridium difficile, the most common nosocomial infection of the GI tract, has become a bigger threat with the emergence of a hypervirulent strain. C. difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) is usually a consequence of antibiotic therapy or chemotherapy, but sporadic cases occur, and an increase in severe sporadic cases is of great concern. Epidemics of CDAD with high morbidity and mortality have been documented in the USA, Canada and Europe, making accurate diagnosis, effective therapy and strategies for prevention more important than ever. Treatment of refractory and recurrent CDAD remain therapeutic challenges. Improved treatments are needed; several new drugs are currently in trials.
authors.affiliation: University of Washington, Gastroenterology, Harborview Medical Center, 325 9th Avenue, Box 359773 Seattle, WA 98104, USA. crengystep@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Crenguta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stepan
authors.forename: Christina M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Surawicz
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016360:Clostridioides difficile; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents