Interruption of recurrent Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea episodes by serial therapy with vancomycin and rifaximin.

Johnson, Stuart; Schriever, Christopher; Galang, Minerva; Kelly, Ciarán P; Gerding, Dale N · Clin Infect Dis · 2007

case_series · Level IV

Where this comes from

Abstract

Eight women who each experienced 4-8 episodes of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea were given a 2-week course of rifaximin therapy when they were asymptomatic, immediately after completing their last course of vancomycin therapy. Seven of the 8 patients experienced no further diarrhea recurrence. The patient who had a recurrence responded to a second course of rifaximin therapy, but rifaximin-resistant C. difficile was recovered after treatment. A controlled trial for treating recurrent Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea appears to be warranted.

Medical subject headings