Prevention of Clostridium difficile Infection With Probiotics.
Despite advances in the diagnosis and treatment of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and prevention efforts to reduce the spread of C. difficile, CDI remains a significant challenge to healthcare systems worldwide. Further advances in prevention of CDI may need to focus on those who continue to be exposed to the organism and who are susceptible. Interventions directed toward this susceptible population, particularly hospitalized patients who receive antibiotics, may be effective. There is moderate evidence on the effectiveness of probiotics to prevent primary CDI, but there are few data to support use in secondary prevention of recurrent CDI. This review discusses the literature available on the use of probiotics to prevent primary and secondary CDI.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital, Hines Department of Preventive Medicine and Center for Healthcare Studies, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago.
Charlesnika T
CT
Evans
Research Service, Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital, Hines Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois.
Stuart
S
Johnson
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016360:Clostridioides difficile / Q000472:pathogenicity; D003015:Clostridium Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D059413:Intraabdominal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055502:Secondary Prevention / Q000379:methods
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
Clostridium difficile; meta-analysis; probiotics