title: Clostridium difficile infection: new insights into management.
abstract: Clostridium difficile was first described as a cause of diarrhea in 1978 and is now among the leading 3 hospital-acquired infections in the United States, along with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant enterococci. In the past 2 decades, there has been an increase in the incidence, severity, and recurrence rates of C difficile infection, all of which are associated with poor outcomes. In addition, several novel risk factors and newer treatment methods are emerging, including fidaxomicin therapy, treatment using monoclonal antibodies, and fecal microbiota transplantation, that have shown promise for the treatment of C difficile infection. This review focuses on the changing epidemiology, risk factors, and newer methods for treatment of C difficile infection.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Sahil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khanna
authors.forename: Darrell S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Pardi
mesh_terms: D000617:Aminoglycosides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003015:Clostridium Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000617:Aminoglycosides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D008795:Metronidazole; D014640:Vancomycin