Open AccessRecurrent Clostridium difficile colitis in elderly: the role of fidaxomicin
Author(s) -
Francesco Artom,
Valerio Del Bono
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
clinical management issues
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2283-3137
pISSN - 1973-4832
DOI - 10.7175/cmi.v8i1s.954
Subject(s) - fidaxomicin , medicine , colitis , clostridium difficile , clostridium difficile colitis , diarrhea , enterocolitis , vancomycin , gastroenterology , surgery , antibiotics , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , biology , genetics , staphylococcus aureus
Clostridium difficile colitis is a substantial cause of in-hospital morbidity. Since the mortality attributable may be as high as 10%, a prompt and effective treatment is advisable. Fidaxomicin is a well-documented effective drug for the treatment of C. difficile colitis and it is particularly effective in the treatment of recurrences. We report a case of a 92-year-old woman with prolonged hospitalization and recurrent episodes (three in a three-month period) of C. difficile diarrhea. Each episode initially responded to vancomycin. However, after the third episode fidaxomicin was given, with a sustained response (5 months without further episodes). In this patient fidaxomicin was safe and effective in treating recurrence of C. difficile colitis. The use of fidaxomicin as a therapy of first episode of C. difficile colitis should be considered for those patients with a predictable high risk of recurrent C. difficile colitis.