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Advances in C. difficile research
June 02, 2008New research into the toxins, virulence, spread and prevention of the superbug Clostridium difficile is reported in the June special issue of the Journal of Medical Microbiology. These findings will play a crucial role in providing us with ammunition in the fight against a sometimes deadly pathogen.
Clostridium difficile is found in the environment but is most common in hospitals. It can cause a serious hospital-acquired infection when antibiotics are used as they upset the balance of the normal gut flora, allowing C. difficile to grow and produce toxins. It is carried in the guts of 3% of healthy humans but carriage rates in hospital patients tend to be much higher and elderly people in hospitals, being treated with antibiotics are most at risk of developing infection. The bacteria produce spores when they encounter unfavourable conditions. Transmission of infection is through the ingestion of these spores which can survive on surfaces and floors for years and are resistant to many disinfectants and antiseptics, including alcohol hand gel.
Symptoms include diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fever, bowel inflammation and possible perforation, which can be fatal. Only two antibiotics are regularly used to treat C. difficile infection: metronidazole and vancomycin, but relapse is a common problem following treatment. In 2004, a hypervirulent strain (C. difficile 027/NAP1/BI) was reported, which appears to make toxins more rapidly and at higher levels than other strains, as well as being resistant to many antibiotics, including fluoroquinolones.
Several studies in the Journal of Medical Microbiology look at the spread of C. difficile in different countries, including Austria and Korea. Research shows that the use of antibiotic increased the risk of outbreaks of the hypervirulent strain of C. difficile in the Netherlands. The issue also contains evidence to suggest that C. difficile could be spread between animals and humans - researchers have isolated the bacterium from food animals in Slovenia.
Scientists investigated the effects of antibiotics, antigens and other agents on the virulence and pathogenicity of C. difficile. Toxins were also studied; research reveals some important information about the synthesis, processing and effects of different toxins. A new gene sequence has been discovered in the hypervirulent C. difficile 027 strain, which could be related to its increased virulence by affecting toxin binding.
The potential for a 'designer' probiotic for C. difficile is discussed. Professor Ian Poxton, former Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Medical Microbiology said "this is an important approach that is hopefully much better than previously reported studies using commercially available yoghurt-like drinks, and certainly more palatable than 'faecal transplants'."
Society for General Microbiology
Several studies in the Journal of Medical Microbiology look at the spread of C. difficile in different countries, including Austria and Korea. Research shows that the use of antibiotic increased the risk of outbreaks of the hypervirulent strain of C. difficile in the Netherlands. The issue also contains evidence to suggest that C. difficile could be spread between animals and humans - researchers have isolated the bacterium from food animals in Slovenia.
Scientists investigated the effects of antibiotics, antigens and other agents on the virulence and pathogenicity of C. difficile. Toxins were also studied; research reveals some important information about the synthesis, processing and effects of different toxins. A new gene sequence has been discovered in the hypervirulent C. difficile 027 strain, which could be related to its increased virulence by affecting toxin binding.
The potential for a 'designer' probiotic for C. difficile is discussed. Professor Ian Poxton, former Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Medical Microbiology said "this is an important approach that is hopefully much better than previously reported studies using commercially available yoghurt-like drinks, and certainly more palatable than 'faecal transplants'."
Society for General Microbiology
Clostridium Difficile Current Events and Clostridium Difficile News RSSCommentary warns of unexpected consequences of proton pump inhibitor use in reflux disease
Despite being highly effective and beneficial for many patients, unexpected consequences are emerging in patients who are prescribed proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for reflux diseases.
Deadly stomach infection rising in community settings, Mayo Clinic study finds
Mayo Clinic researchers have found that a sometimes deadly stomach bug, Clostridium difficile is on the rise in outpatient settings.
Eating right, not supplements, is best at keeping your good bacteria healthy, dietitian says
Healthy eating, not supplements, is the best way to keep the good bacteria in your gut healthy, says a dietitian and researcher.
Structure of antibiotic ramoplanin reveals promising mechanism
With the "last resort" antibiotic Vancomycin now plagued by the first signs of bacterial resistance, a scientific collaboration centered at Duke University has identified how a candidate successor antibiotic known as Ramoplanin A2 can kill pathogenic bacteria by interrupting how they form their cell membranes.
Antibiotics take toll on beneficial microbes in gut
It's common knowledge that a protective navy of bacteria normally floats in our intestinal tracts. Antibiotics at least temporarily disturb the normal balance.
Newly discovered reactions from an old drug may lead to new antibiotics
A mineral found at health food stores could be the key to developing a new line of antibiotics for bacteria that commonly cause diarrhea, tooth decay and, in some severe cases, death.
Doctors identify patients at high risk of C. difficile
Doctors have developed and validated a clinical prediction rule for recurrent Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection that was simple, reliable and accurate, and can be used to identify high-risk patients most likely to benefit from measures to prevent recurrence. Their findings appear in a new study in Gastroenterology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute.
Hospital infection control strategies for antibiotic-resistant organisms
Hand-washing, a clean environment, appropriate infection barriers and early identification of patients at high risk of colonization with a transmissible microorganism remain the essential measures to prevent and control infection.
What makes C-Diff superbug deadly?
A major breakthrough about the potentially deadly superbug Clostridium difficile (C-diff) could lead to new ways to combat the bacterium, according to a study to be published March 1 in the journal Nature.
Monash scientists debug superbug
An international team of scientists, led by Monash University researchers, has uncovered the workings of a superbug that kills elderly hospital patients worldwide - a discovery that has the potential to save lives and health care systems billions of dollars each year.
More Clostridium Difficile Current Events and Clostridium Difficile News Articles
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Bacteria for Breakfast: Probiotics for Good Health by Kelly Dowhower Karpa, PhD, RPh (Author) Although in Western society the beneficial aspects of bacteria have been increasingly minimized, we actually need bacteria in our digestive tracts for good health. This resource explains, to laymen and physicians, how probiotics support immune function, prevent urogenital infections, and maintain good gastrintestinal health. |
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Clostridium Difficile Test (25 per Pack) by Marion Scientific A 20 minute latex agglutination test for C. difficile associated diarrhea, 5 minutes hands on time, requires no instrument, excellent screening tes for stool specimenst, sensitivity found to be from 92 to 95%, negative predictive value 97 to 98%, controls included, performs 25 patient tests. | |
![Giantmicrobes C. Diff Clostridium Difficile [Toy]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31rrqT9PlcL._SL160_.jpg) |
Giantmicrobes C. Diff Clostridium Difficile [Toy] by Giantmicrobes Giant Microbes are soft, cute, durable, well made, educational, and just a lot of fun too! Each 5-to-7 inch doll is accompanied by an image of the real microbe it represents, as well as information about the microbe. Give it up for C. Diff, hospital's notorious gangsta. |
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Meridian Immunocard Toxins A & B Kit, 50 Tests by Meridian Bioscience Features of the Meridian Immunocard Toxins A & B Kit: Membrane EIA single test for the qualitative detection of Clostridium difficile Toxins A and B in Stool Specimens. High sensitivity: both Toxin A and Toxin B are detected. Rapid detection: results in 15 minutes. No sample pre-treatment required. No reagent dilution required. Easy and single test procedure. Internal control of the procedure on each card. Kit Components: Test cards, specimen diluent, enzyme conjugate, positive control, wash reagent, substrate reagent, transfer pipettes. The product referenced on this detail page is sold be 50/bx. |
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Clostridium difficile (Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology) by K. Aktories (Editor), T.D. Wilkins (Editor) Clostridium difficile has been recognized as the cause of a broad spectrum of enteric disease ranging from mild antibiotic-associated diarrhea to pseudomembranous colitis. This volume gives new insights into the microbiology, diagnostics and epidemiology of Clostridium difficile and describes recent strategies in treatment of diseases caused by this agent. Main parts of the volume are devoted to Clostridium difficile toxins A and B which are the major virulence factors. The molecular biology, biochemistry, pharmacology and cell biology of these toxins which are the prototypes of a new family of large clostridial cytotoxins is described in great detail. Clostridium difficile toxins act as glucosyltransferases to inactivate small GTP-binding proteins of the Rho family which are involved in... |
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Guide to the Elimination of Clostridium Difficile by Ruth Carrico (Author) | |
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Clostridium Difficile: Its Role in Intestinal Disease by Author Unknown (Author) Despite the tremendous progress made during the last few years in understanding the pathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated intestinal disease, many extremely important and fundamental questions remain to be answered. The objectives of this book are to summarize the available information regarding Clostridium difficile and its role in intestinal disease and to serve as a basis for future investigations in this challenging area. Clostridium difficile: its role in Intestinal Disease. An excellent volume that should appeal not only to the devotee of C difficile but to all gastroenterologists and microbiologists, this will not languish on my library shelves like so many other books I have reviewed. It will be regularly thumbed. --R.H.... | |
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Fecal transfer cures relapsing C. diff infection.(GASTROENTEROLOGY)(clostridium difficile): An article from: Internal Medicine News by Miriam E. Tucker (Author) This digital document is an article from Internal Medicine News, published by International Medical News Group on January 1, 2009. The length of the article is 985 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser. Citation Details Title: Fecal transfer cures relapsing C. diff infection.(GASTROENTEROLOGY)(clostridium difficile) Author: Miriam E. Tucker Publication: Internal Medicine News (Magazine/Journal) Date: January 1, 2009 Publisher: International Medical News Group Volume: 42 Issue: 1 Page: 24(1) Distributed by Gale, a part of Cengage... | |
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Clostridium difficile (Methods in Molecular Biology) by Peter Mullany (Editor), Adam P. Roberts (Editor) This book reviews the state of the art of methods available for the molecular analysis and investigation of virulence of the important human pathogen Clostridium difficile. | |
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Clostridium difficile infection in patients discharged from US short-stay hospitals, 1996-2003 (1).(RESEARCH): An article from: Emerging Infectious Diseases by L. Clifford McDonald (Author), Maria Owings (Author), Daniel B. Jernigan (Author) This digital document is an article from Emerging Infectious Diseases, published by Thomson Gale on March 1, 2006. The length of the article is 5384 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser. Citation Details Title: Clostridium difficile infection in patients discharged from US short-stay hospitals, 1996-2003 (1).(RESEARCH) Author: L. Clifford McDonald Publication: Emerging Infectious Diseases (Magazine/Journal) Date: March 1, 2006 Publisher: Thomson Gale Volume: 12 Issue: 3 Page: 409(7) Distributed by Thomson... |
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