Abstract

Purpose of reviewThe chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis, are associated with an increased risk of symptomatic Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). CDI may also masquerade as an IBD flare and complicate IBD management. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of CDI in IBD patients.Recent findingsCDI remains common in IBD with complications including flares in disease activity, recurrent CDI episodes, and prolonged hospital stays. Newer IBD therapeutics including vedolizumab, ustekinumab, and tofacitinib are less likely to cause severe CDI. A high index of suspicion, rapid testing via a two-step method, and prompt treatment with vancomycin or fidaxomicin are paramount to managing CDI in IBD patients. Strategies to prevent recurrent CDI (rCDI) include the monoclonal antibody bezlotoxumab as well as fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). FMT has a robust profile of safety and effectiveness in preventing rCDI in adults and children.SummaryClinicians must remain vigilant in the prompt diagnosis and treatment of CDI in IBD patients. Corticosteroids, unnecessary antibiotics, and ongoing colonic inflammatory disease are modifiable risk factors. Improved infection control measures, newer IBD medications, and using effective CDI treatments will facilitate a reduced burden of severe CDI and complications for IBD patients.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)257-262
Number of pages6
JournalCurrent opinion in gastroenterology
Volume39
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2023

Keywords

  • Clostridium difficile infection
  • Crohn's disease
  • fecal microbiota transplantation
  • inflammatory bowel disease
  • ulcerative colitis

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Clostridium difficile in inflammatory bowel disease'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this