title: Clostridium difficileinfection in older adults.
abstract: Clostridium difficileinfection, the most frequent cause of nosocomial diarrhea, disproportionately affects older adults. The two most important risk factors for developingC. difficileinfection are antimicrobial exposure and age >65 years old. Risk factors specific to older adults are frequent interactions with healthcare systems and age-related changes in physiology, including immune senescence and changes to the gut microbiome. Metronidazole and oral vancomcyin are the mainstays of conventional treatment forC. difficileinfection. Alternative therapies include fidaxomicin, a narrow-spectrum macrocyclic antibiotic, and fectal bacteriotherapy, which offers an excellent therapeutic outcome. Strategies to preventC. difficileinfections include enhanced infection control measures and reducing inappropriate antimicrobial use through stewardship.
authors: Geriatric Research Education & Clinical Center & Infectious Diseases Section, Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 10701 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA ; Division of Infectious Diseases & HIV Medicine, Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors: Robin Lp
authors: RL
authors: Jump
keywords: Clostridium difficile infection; aging; antimicrobial stewardship; fecal bacteriotherapy; fidaxomicin; infection control; long-term care facilities; metronidzole; older adults; vancomycin