Zanella Terrier MC, Simonet ML, Bichard P, Frossard JL. Recurrent Clostridium difficile infections: The importance of the intestinal microbiota. World J Gastroenterol 2014; 20(23): 7416-7423 [PMID: 24966611 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i23.7416]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Jean Louis Frossard, MD, Service of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Geneva University Hospital, Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland. jean-louis.frossard@hcuge.ch
Research Domain of This Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Article-Type of This Article
Review
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World J Gastroenterol. Jun 21, 2014; 20(23): 7416-7423 Published online Jun 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i23.7416
Recurrent Clostridium difficile infections: The importance of the intestinal microbiota
Marie Céline Zanella Terrier, Martine Louis Simonet, Philippe Bichard, Jean Louis Frossard
Marie Céline Zanella Terrier, Martine Louis Simonet, Service of General Internal Medicine, Geneva University Hospital, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
Philippe Bichard, Jean Louis Frossard, Service of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Geneva University Hospital, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
Author contributions: Zanella Terrier MC, Simonet ML, Bichard P and Frossard JL performed the research; Zanella Terrier MC, Frossard JL wrote the paper; Zanella Terrier MC, Simonet ML and Bichard P analyzed the data.
Correspondence to: Jean Louis Frossard, MD, Service of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Geneva University Hospital, Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland. jean-louis.frossard@hcuge.ch
Telephone: +41-22-3729340 Fax: +41-22-3729366
Received: September 25, 2013 Revised: January 28, 2014 Accepted: April 21, 2014 Published online: June 21, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: Despite current antibiotic treatments, Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a growing epidemic with increasing rates of recurrence, severity and mortality. The treatment of recurrent CDI thus represents a real challenge. This article simultaneously focuses on current guidelines for CDI treatment, the role of gut microbiota in CDI recurrence and current evidence about fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) efficacy, adverse effects and acceptability. According to studies published to date, FMT use for recurrent CDI is associated with high resolution rates compared with standard antibiotic treatment. Further studies are needed to confirm FMT effectiveness, and to determine the long-term consequences and good administration practices.
