Clostridioides difficile Infection in the Stem Cell Transplant and Hematologic Malignancy Population

Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2019 Jun;33(2):447-466. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2019.02.010.

Abstract

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is common in the stem cell transplant (SCT) and hematologic malignancy (HM) population and mostly occurs in the early posttransplant period. Treatment of CDI in SCT/HM is the same as for the general population, with the exception that fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) has not been widely adopted because of safety concerns. Several case reports, small series, and retrospective studies have shown that FMT is effective and safe. A randomized controlled trial of FMT for prophylaxis of CDI in SCT patients is underway. In addition, an abundance of novel therapeutics for CDI is currently in development.

Keywords: Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile; Graft-versus-host disease; Hematologic malignancy; Stem cell transplant.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Clostridioides difficile
  • Clostridium Infections / therapy*
  • Drug Therapy
  • Fecal Microbiota Transplantation
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Graft vs Host Disease / complications
  • Graft vs Host Disease / microbiology
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / complications
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Microbiota
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Risk Factors
  • Stem Cell Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Treatment Outcome