Written by Angela Kelly
New Guidelines Released for the Treatment of C. diff
New Guidelines from IDSA & SHEA released on February 15th, 2018 call for either vancomycin or Dificid for treating first episode CDI instead of metronidazole. As well the new guidelines call for treating patients with recurrent episodes of C. diff using fecal microbiota transplantation.
https://academic.oup.com/cid/advance-article/doi/10.1093/cid/cix1085/4855916
Rebiotix has Developed a System to Measure Gut-health
Gut-health company Rebiotix has developed what it says is an “objective system to measure changes in the intestine that can leave hospital patients vulnerable to deadly C. diff infections.” Rebiotix’s “Microbiome Health Index” is meant to help provide the gut-microbiome community with “an objective way to measure the effectiveness of experimental treatments developed for gut health.” The Microbiome Health Index provides a metric that can identify dysbiosis.
DIY FMTs May Carry Risks
Concerns have been raised that Do-it-Yourself (DIY) fecal microbiota transplants (FMTs) may carry the risk of transferring “HIV and hepatitis, as well as conditions ranging from Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis to obesity and sleep disorders.” In a clinical setting, donors are screened for infectious diseases and parasites, and people with autoimmune diseases, a history of cancer or gastrointestinal problems are not used as donors.
C. diff on TV!
C. diff made an appearance on the small screen in Episode 14, Season 1 of The Good Doctor, with a character receiving a colon-saving FMT.
Read more from Angela Kelly at www.gutsymother.com.