#c.difficile

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Multiple takeaways in this recent Guardian Science piece: Metformin, a popular diabetes drug (and one of which I’ve taken the maximum dose of for a number of years) may work in part by influencing gut bacteria. C.difficile was among the bacteria affected by non-antibiotic drugs. The study may inform the fight against anti-biotic resistant bacteria. Interesting article if you’re into the microbiome, which in turn is definitely into you. 

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Dr. Baron Sarah W. Baron, M.D Assistant Professor Division of Hospital Medicine Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center Bronx, New York  MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: We know that C. difficile can be a deadly and highly infectious disease but that it has been difficult to control. We also know that some people carry C. difficile in their body without symptoms but can still spread the organism or become sick with it themselves at some point in the future. This study attempted to answer two main questions: 1. First, how many patients coming into a large, urban academic medical center carried the organism C. difficile without any symptoms and 2. How many of those carriers without symptoms then went on to have the symptoms of C. difficile within 6 months? MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings? Response: We found that almost 10% of people coming into our facility carried C. difficile without any symptoms. In addition, we found that 38% of those carriers went on to have symptomatic C. difficile within the next 6 months.  MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report? Response: I hope that the biggest take away is that plenty of patients coming to the hospital carry C. difficile without any symptoms. In addition, many of those carriers will develop symptoms within the next few months. This means that we might have to consider both broad approaches to preventing the spread of the C. difficile organism, in terms of Infection Control or more widespread screening, which is considered a supplemental intervention, but also more targeted approaches, potentially identifying high risk carriers to determine an effective strategy to prevent them from becoming symptomatic, which is why Antimicrobial Stewardship is often very involved. MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work? Response: I am very excited about some of the work coming out on C. difficile prevention and control strategies including isolation, cleaning, and Antimicrobial Stewardship strategies to protect all of our patients. MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add? Response: Our patients depend on us to protect them from illnesses that are acquired or worsen in the hospital. I want to commend our colleagues in Infection Prevention and Control, Antimicrobial Stewardship, and Environmental Services who keep our patients safe and continue to innovate in order to make our hospitals even safer. I don’t have relevant disclosures. Citation: Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2019 Dec 11:1-5. doi: 10.1017/ice.2019.309. Screening of Clostridioides difficile carriers in an urban academic medical center: Understanding implications of disease. Baron SW, Ostrowsky BE, Nori P, Drory DY, Levi MH, Szymczak WA5, Rinke ML, Southern WN Last Modified:   The information on MedicalResearch.com is provided for educational purposes only, and is in no way intended to diagnose, cure, or treat any medical or other condition. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health and ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. In addition to all other limitations and disclaimers in this agreement, service provider and its third party providers disclaim any liability or loss in connection with the content provided on this website.   Read the full article

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미생물과 함께 살기 우리는 장염에 걸리면 항생제를 복용한다. 장이 꼬이듯 아프고 설사가 죽죽 나올 때, 병원에서 처방받은 항생제만큼 고마운 것이 없다. 하지만 어떤 장염은 바로 그 항생제 때문에 생기기도 한다. 위막성 장염이라고 부르는데, 항생제가 장내에 사는 미생물을 과도하게 제거했기 때문에 생긴다. 그런데 이 위막성 장염의 치료법 가운데 쉽게 다소 충격적인 것이 있다. 바로 건강한 사람의 대변을 환자의 대장에 이식하는 것이다. 농담이 아니라 정말 다른 사람의 대변을 장염이 걸린 사람의 대장에 집어넣는다. 처음 듣기에는 생소하기만 한 이 치료법은 나름의 근거가 있다. 건강한 사람 대변의 미생물들이 위막성 장염 환자의 대장으로 옮겨가서 원래의 건강한 상태를 되돌려 놓는 것이다. 이미 실제로 효과가 있다고 의학적으로 입증된 치료법이다. 장내에는 다양한 미생물들이 살고 있다. 이들은 그냥 사는 것뿐만 아니라 인체가 제 기능을 하기 위해서 없어서는 안 되는 중요한 역할을 한다. 이런 미생물을 다른 말로 상재균이라고 부른다. 문자 그대로 인체 내에 항상 있는 균이다. 이 상재균이 사라지면 인체는 균형을 잃고 위막성 장염 같은 질병에 걸리게 된다. 요컨대, 미생물이 들어와서 병을 일으키기도 하지만 미생물이 없어져도 병이 생긴다. 인간은 일상생활에서 수많은 미생물과 함께 살아간다. 우리가 이 미생물들을 완전히 피할 수 없지만, 다른 한 편으로는 피해서도 안 된다. 우리가 건강한 삶을 살아가는 데 필요한 것들이기 때문이다.