Article
Infectious Diseases
Mohammad Abdehagh, Masoumeh Azimirad, Hamidreza Houri, Banafsheh Nadalian, Fahimeh Azimirad, Meysam Olfatifar, Ome Kolsoum Nasir Shoeibi, Abbas Yadegar, Shabnam Shahrokh, Mehran Mahdavi Roshan, Hamid Asadzadeh Aghdaei, Mohammad Reza Zali
Summary: This study evaluated the utility of measuring serum procalcitonin levels to detect CDI in IBD patients, showing a positive correlation between procalcitonin levels and the presence of CDI. Procalcitonin may be a good candidate biomarker for assessing CDI in IBD patients, and further research is needed to determine its predictive value for CDI therapy or recurrence.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Pediatrics
Ryan M. Hanson, Amy J. Wagner
Summary: Severe, complicated Clostridium difficile colitis is rare in pediatric patients and little is known about its medical and surgical management in this population. A case report of a 15-year-old female patient with severe, complicated C difficile colitis successfully treated with diverting loop ileostomy and colonic lavage is presented. This approach, instead of subtotal colectomy and end ileostomy, should be considered as an alternative for pediatric patients with severe, complicated C difficile colitis.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ashleigh S. Paparella, Briana L. Aboulache, Rajesh K. Harijan, Kathryn S. Potts, Peter C. Tyler, Vern L. Schramm
Summary: Clostridium difficile produces toxins TcdA and TcdB causing diarrhea by affecting host cell functions using UDP-glucose, leading to disease onset. Researchers identified potential therapeutic approach using transition state analogue iminosugars.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Dor Gotshal, Maya Azrad, Zohar Hamo, Orna Nitzan, Avi Peretz
Summary: This study investigated the serum levels of six cytokines and chemokines in CDI patients and found an association between IL-16 and BCA-1 with disease severity. These cytokines and chemokines may serve as biomarkers for predicting CDI severity in the future, contributing to better patient outcomes.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Ibrahim A. Al-Zahrani
Summary: Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infection is a global threat to many healthcare settings. Excessive use of antimicrobials, lack of optimal antibiotic policies, and suboptimal infection control practices have fueled the development of this health issue. Prudent use of antimicrobials and simple infection control measures can significantly reduce infection rates.
SAUDI MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Huan Li, Juanjuan Chen, Yuanhui Hu, Xin Cai, Pingan Zhang
Summary: The study found that serum C1q levels were significantly elevated in children with sepsis, correlated with disease severity, positively correlated with PCT levels, and negatively correlated with PCIS score. Children infected with different pathogens also showed significantly higher serum C1q levels.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Meng Wang, Zifeng Deng, Yanmei Li, Yi Ma, Jufang Wang
Summary: A novel lytic protein Cw1-CWB2 with high binding specificity and strong lytic activity has been designed in this study for combating C. difficile.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bibiana Fabre, Nahuel Fernandez Machulsky, Carolina Olano, Dario Jacobsen, Maria Eugenia Gomez, Beatriz Perazzi, Valeria Zago, Damian Zopatti, Andres Ferrero, Laura Schreier, Gabriela Berg
Summary: Patients with severe complications of COVID-19, such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and type-2 diabetes, have metabolic alterations including insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. This study found that levels of remnant lipoprotein cholesterol were associated with the severity and death of COVID-19 patients.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Vanessa Lang, Katrin Gunka, Jan Rudolf Ortlepp, Ortrud Zimmermann, Uwe Gross
Summary: Nosocomial infections with Clostridioides difficile have emerged as a serious health threat. This study aimed to identify risk factors for C. difficile infection beyond the well-known factors. It found that regular consumption of proton pump inhibitors, low vegetable intake, and the use of the diuretic agent torasemid were additional risk factors for CDI.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrea Piccioni, Federico Rosa, Federica Manca, Giulia Pignataro, Christian Zanza, Gabriele Savioli, Marcello Covino, Veronica Ojetti, Antonio Gasbarrini, Francesco Franceschi, Marcello Candelli
Summary: The composition of the human microbiome plays a crucial role in health, and alterations in the microbiota can lead to Clostridium difficile infection.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Maria Kulecka, Edyta Waker, Filip Ambrozkiewicz, Agnieszka Paziewska, Karolina Skubisz, Patrycja Cybula, Lukasz Targonski, Michal Mikula, Jan Walewski, Jerzy Ostrowski
Summary: Our study revealed that the presence of specific genes related to carbon metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation increased the risk of infection recurrence. More core genes were found to be under positive selective pressure in recurrent disease isolates, mainly associated with amino acid metabolism. Prophage elements were more prevalent in single infection isolates, while plasmids did not influence the odds of recurrence.
Article
Immunology
Yakun Sun, Zhili He, Jiajia Li, Saisai Gong, Shunzong Yuan, Tao Li, Nianzhi Ning, Li Xing, Liangyan Zhang, Fanghong Chen, Zhan Li, Jianxin Wang, Deyan Luo, Hui Wang
Summary: The destruction of gut microbiota by Gentamicin results in increased levels of branched-chain amino acids, which suppress the development of CD11b(+)Ly6c(+) cells and lead to an overactive CD8(+) T cell response, potentially enhancing the severity of viral infections.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ji Li, Yin Wang, Jinhong Luo, Zhikun Yin, Weifeng Huang, Jinyan Zhang
Summary: This study aimed to develop and validate a prognostic nomogram for predicting sepsis in pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) patients. Independent risk factors for sepsis were identified, and a nomogram was developed based on these factors. The nomogram showed excellent calibration and discrimination, indicating its potential clinical utility.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
D. Alexander Perry, Daniel Shirley, Dejan Micic, C. Pratish Patel, Rosemary Putler, Anitha Menon, Vincent B. Young, Krishna Rao
Summary: None of the published CDI severity scores showed stable and good predictive ability for adverse outcomes across multiple centers. The existing scoring systems have poor predictive ability for CDI severity.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Samantha C. Do, Hayley Miller, Stephanie A. Leonard, Imee A. Datoc, Anna Girsen, Shanthi Kappagoda, Ronald S. Gibbs, Natali Aziz
Summary: In this study, lactate levels did not significantly differ between pregnant women with intraamniotic infection and those without, while procalcitonin levels were higher in women with infection, indicating its potential as a marker for peripartum infection. Additional research is warranted to further investigate the utility of procalcitonin as an infection marker during labor.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY MFM
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Allen A. Lee, Krishna Rao, Henry P. Parkman, Richard W. McCallum, Irene Sarosiek, Linda A. Nguyen, John M. Wo, Michael Schulman, Baharak Moshiree, Satish Rao, Braden Kuo, William L. Hasler
Summary: The study found that gender, stool hardness, and functional dyspepsia were predictive factors for more severe upper gastrointestinal symptoms, while delayed gastric emptying and abnormal gastrointestinal contractility were also associated with more severe symptoms and worse quality of life scores.
CLINICAL GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
D. Alexander Perry, Daniel Shirley, Dejan Micic, C. Pratish Patel, Rosemary Putler, Anitha Menon, Vincent B. Young, Krishna Rao
Summary: None of the published CDI severity scores showed stable and good predictive ability for adverse outcomes across multiple centers. The existing scoring systems have poor predictive ability for CDI severity.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Bin Ni, Erin Gettler, Rebecca Stern, Heather M. Munro, Mark Steinwandel, Melinda C. Aldrich, Debra L. Friedman, Maureen Sanderson, David Schlundt, David M. Aronoff, Deepak K. Gupta, Martha J. Shrubsole, Loren Lipworth
Summary: Disruptions to healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic were primarily driven by health system-initiated deferrals and individual perceptions of COVID-19 risk, disproportionately affecting different population groups.
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Madeline R. Barron, Vincent B. Young
Summary: The relationship between the gut environment and bacterial colonization is of great significance. The complex interactions between multiple factors in the gut environment make it difficult to uncover the characteristics of the system using reductionist methods. The systems biology approach provides a more comprehensive perspective. This article explores the relationship between the gut environment and bacterial colonization from the perspective of systems biology, and provides guidance for future research.
Article
Microbiology
Madeline R. Barron, Kelly L. Sovacool, Lisa Abernathy-Close, Kimberly C. Vendrov, Alexandra K. Standke, Ingrid L. Bergin, Patrick D. Schloss, Vincent B. Young
Summary: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an increased risk of developing C. difficile infection (CDI), even in the absence of antibiotic treatment. The mechanisms regulating C. difficile colonization in IBD patients remain unclear. In this study, a mouse model was used to demonstrate that intestinal inflammation alters microbiota composition, leading to susceptibility to C. difficile colonization. Treating inflammation with an anti-p40 monoclonal antibody restores colonization resistance. Microbiota transfer experiments confirm that the microbiota shaped in the setting of IBD is the primary driver of susceptibility to C. difficile colonization.
Article
Microbiology
Nicholas A. Lesniak, Alyxandria M. Schubert, Kaitlin J. Flynn, Jhansi L. Leslie, Hamide Sinani, Ingrid L. Bergin, Vincent B. Young, Patrick D. Schloss
Summary: Clostridioides difficile colonization can lead to a range of infection severities, from mild diarrhea to life-threatening conditions. While factors such as patient age, blood cell count, and C. difficile characteristics have been associated with disease severity, the role of specific gut bacteria in influencing severity is unclear. This study demonstrates that different gut bacterial communities can contribute to variations in Clostridioides difficile infection outcomes. Certain bacterial groups were associated with more severe outcomes, while others were associated with milder outcomes. Incorporating gut bacterial community data into severity models may aid in identifying at-risk patients and improving interventions.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Meghana Kamineni, Erkin Otles Meng, Jeeheh Oh, Krishna Rao, Vincent B. Young, Benjamin Y. Li, Lauren R. West, David C. Hooper, Erica S. Shenoy, John G. Guttag, Jenna Wiens, Maggie Makar
Summary: This article presents the prospective and retrospective evaluations of two CDI infection risk prediction models and discusses their robustness to data-set shifts.
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Rachel Bernard, Muhammad B. Hammami, Forest W. Arnold, Brian Mcgrath, Alieysa Patel, Brandon Wuerth, Maribeth R. Nicholson, Krishna Rao, Dejan Micic
Summary: This study aimed to compare the prevalence of toxin detection for Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in patients with and without inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and evaluate the clinical outcomes of CDI in patients with IBD. The results showed that patients with IBD had a lower proportion of toxin detection compared to non-IBD individuals, and there were no significant differences in clinical outcomes among patients with IBD.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
P. P. Bloom, K. Rao, C. M. Bassis, S. Y. Zhou, B. Nojkov, C. Owyang, V. B. Young, A. S. Lok
Summary: This study revealed increased duodenal epithelial permeability in patients with compensated cirrhosis and a distinct mucosal microbial community. Interestingly, certain bacteria associated with health were found to be protective of duodenal permeability.
CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Anna S. C. Conlon, Zoey Chopra, Shannon Cahalan, Sandro Cinti, Krishna Rao
Summary: This study aims to describe the natural course of procalcitonin (PCT) in COVID-19 patients and its correlation with antimicrobial prescribing, providing insights into PCT data utilization in antimicrobial stewardship. The results show that PCT trends are associated with antibiotic initiation and duration of treatment, independent of pneumonia status and comorbidities.
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Felicia Kuperwaser, Gal Avital, Michelle J. Vaz, Kristen N. Noble, Allison N. Dammann, Tara M. Randis, David M. Aronoff, Adam J. Ratner, Itai Yanai
Summary: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a pathobiont that ascends to the placenta and causes adverse pregnancy outcomes by producing the toxin beta-hemolysin/cytolysin (beta-h/c). This study shows that GBS modulates the state of innate immune cells by subverting host inflammation through beta-h/c, leading to worse outcomes.
MOLECULAR SYSTEMS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Malavika Prabhu, Gianna Wilkie, Mark MacEachern, Dana LaBuda, Jasmine Purtell, Krishna Rao, Laura E. E. Riley, Matthew Fuller, Morgan Rosser, Ashraf S. S. Habib, Melissa E. E. Bauer
Summary: The study aims to determine the mean procalcitonin levels in different groups of pregnant women and evaluate its usefulness in identifying infection.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GYNECOLOGY & OBSTETRICS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joshua Soto Ocana, Nile U. Bayard, Jessica L. Hart, Audrey K. Thomas, Emma E. Furth, D. Borden Lacy, David M. Aronoff, Joseph P. Zackular
Summary: Clostridioides difficile damages the colonic mucosa through potent exotoxins. The factors contributing to C. difficile pathogenesis are not fully understood, but likely involve ecological, immune, and environmental factors. Recent studies have shown that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs exacerbate C. difficile infection, although the mechanism behind this is unclear.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Patricia P. Bloom, Krishna Rao, Christine Bassis, Borko Nojkov, Vincent B. Young, Anna S. F. Lok
Summary: Patients with cirrhosis have higher duodenal epithelial permeability and lower mucosal bacteria alpha diversity compared to controls, while no such differences are seen in the ileum or colon. Specific bacteria are associated with epithelial permeability and future hepatic decompensation.
HEPATOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
