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Clostridium difficile Infection in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

  • Intra-abdominal Infections, Hepatitis, and Gastroenteritis (T Steiner, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is now the leading cause of nosocomial infection. There has been an upsurge of CDI in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD patients with CDI have increased morbidity and mortality. The establishment, proliferation, and recurrence of CDI in IBD patients form a complex interplay of microbial, environmental, and host-susceptibility factors. Different risk factors have been found predisposing IBD patients to CDI. Vancomycin performs better than metronidazole in treating IBD patients with CDI. Fecal microbiota transplantation continues to be a very effective therapy. New therapeutic modalities such as vaccinations and bile salts are currently being investigated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

    Nancy Fu

  2. 250-6091 Gilbert Rd., Richmond, BC, V7C 5L9, Canada

    Nancy Fu

  3. Division of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Vancouver General Hospital, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

    Titus Wong

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Intra-abdominal Infections, Hepatitis, and Gastroenteritis

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Fu, N., Wong, T. Clostridium difficile Infection in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Curr Infect Dis Rep 18, 19 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-016-0525-x

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