Date of Paper/Work
5-2012
Type of Paper/Work
Scholarly project
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Nursing
Department
Nursing
Advisor
Vicki Ericson
Abstract
Clostridium difficile has been historically viewed as a hospital acquired infection. However, the emergence of community acquired infection in low risk populations, the identification of new risk factors, detection of a hypervirulent strain of C. difficile, and increasing mortality have changed the epidemiology if this infection. Current standards of treatment have come into question due to increasing recurrence rates and treatment failures, possible resistance of Metronidazole, and concerns surrounding Vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE). Fidaxomicin, a narrow-spectrum macrolide, is the first drug approved by the FDA in 20 years for the treatment of C. difficile infection. It has shown good in vitro and in vivo activity, has similar clinical cure rates, lower recurrence rates, and higher global cure rates compared to Vancomycin in non-hypervirulent strains and similar efficacy in all outcomes in the hypervirulent strain. Overall, Fidaxomicin appears to be a reasonable second line treatment option for recurrent C. difficile infection in patients who have failed to respond to treatment under the current guidelines.
Recommended Citation
Mathison, Angela. (2012). Fidaxomicin is a Superior Treatment to Vancomycin for Recurrent Clostridium Difficile Infection. Retrieved from Sophia, the St. Catherine University repository website: https://sophia.stkate.edu/ma_nursing/59