Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection: Risk Factors, Treatment, and Prevention

• Published in: Gut and liver Vol. 13; no. 1; pp. 16 - 24
• Main Authors: Jung Hoon Song, You Sun Kim
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 대한간학회 30-01-2019
• Subjects: Clostridium difficile; Prevention; Recurrence; Risk factors; Therapeutics
• ISSN: 1976-2283

The most common cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea is Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Recurrent C. difficile infection (rCDI) often occurs after successful treatment of CDI. Due to the increased incidence and the difficulty in treating rCDI, it is becoming an important clinical issue. Identifying risk factors is helpful for early detection, treatment, and prevention of rCDI. Advanced age, use of antibiotics, gastric acid suppression, and infection with a hypervirulent strain are currently regarded as the major risk factors for rCDI. Several treatment modalities, including vancomycin, fidaxomicin, and fecal microbiota transplant (FMT), are suggested for rCDI treatment. However, there is currently no definitive treatment method with sufficient evidence for rCDI. Recent studies have focused on FMT and have shown positive results for rCDI. Prevention of rCDI by measures such as hand washing and isolation of patients is very important. However, these preventive measures are often overlooked in clinical practice. Here, we review the risk factors, treatment, and prevention of rCDI. (Gut Liver 2019;13:16-24)