Fecal microbiota transplantation and emerging treatments for Clostridium difficile infection

J Pharm Pract. 2013 Oct;26(5):498-505. doi: 10.1177/0897190013499527. Epub 2013 Aug 21.

Abstract

Due to the increased incidence and recurrence of Clostridium difficile infection, health care providers are seeking new and alternative treatments to the standard antibiotic therapy. The objective of this article is to present a review on the background, microbiologic efficacy, clinical efficacy, and safety of fecal microbiota transplantation and to provide an overview of emerging treatment options currently under investigation. Emerging treatment options discussed include the use of monoclonal antibodies directed against toxins A and B, C difficile vaccination, and transplantation of nontoxigenic C difficile strains.

Keywords: C difficile vaccines; fecal bacteriotherapy; fecal transplantation; monoclonal antibodies; recurrent CDI.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Bacterial Proteins / immunology
  • Bacterial Toxins / immunology
  • Bacterial Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Bacterial Vaccines / immunology
  • Clostridioides difficile / isolation & purification*
  • Clostridium Infections / epidemiology
  • Clostridium Infections / microbiology
  • Clostridium Infections / therapy*
  • Enterotoxins / immunology
  • Feces / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Secondary Prevention

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Bacterial Vaccines
  • Enterotoxins
  • tcdA protein, Clostridium difficile
  • toxB protein, Clostridium difficile