A new way to prevent a growing antibiotic-related problem
November 14th, 2007 | by Timothy Kintzel, M.D. |
The growing prevalence of Clostridium Difficile (”C. Dif”) colon infections resulting from exposures to antibiotics used to treat other infections is alarming. This so called “Antibiotic Associated” colitis is caused by a normally occurring bacteria (the C.Dif) in the intestines suddenly overgrowing and causing infection itself, often severe and recurrent. This usually happens when the body is exposed to antibiotics routinely used to treat a variety of infections. Its occurrence is often unpredictable and are marked by diarrhea and severe pain. Frequently the C.Dif itself is resistant to multiple antibiotics and the treatment is prolonged and expensive. Researchers recently have been looking at the life cycle of the bacterium - namely how it generates spores. Inhibition of this process as opposed to attempting to eradicate the bacteria is thought to be a potential future treatment. This method has been used successfully in the prevention of food spoilage and the investigators feel this method could work both for C.Dif as well as for a similar bacterium, Bacillus Anthracis which causes Anthrax.
This is a new avenue to investigate for prophylaxis in both military personnel potentially exposed to anthrax as well as in at risk patients for C. Dif who need to receive an antibiotic.
Reference: Alvarez et al, Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2007 Oct;5(5):783-92
Tags: Antibiotics, C Dif, Clostridium Difficile, Colitis, infectous disease