Therapy for Clostridium difficile infection – any news beyond Metronidazole and Vancomycin?

C.F. Mantheya, L. Eckmannb & V. Fuhrmannc*a I. Medical Department, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germanyb Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USAc Department of Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, GermanyCONTACT V. Fuhrmann v.fuhrmann@gmx.at Department of Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, Hamburg D-20246, GermanyABSTRACTIntroduction: Infections with Clostridium difficile (CDI) represent a major burden for the health care system. Treatment is generally by antibiotic therapy with metronidazole and vancomycin, but efficacy remains suboptimal.Areas covered: This review discusses established and emerging treatment options for CDI, and current therapeutic guidelines, taking into account disease severity and risk of relapse.Expert commentary: New therapeutic approaches, including antibodies and new classes of antibiotics, and new measures for preventing infection with vaccines are under development in phase II/III clinical trials. We performed a systematic literature review using the search terms ‘Clostridium difficile’ and ‘treatment’.