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August 10, 2018 7:00 am
My view is that Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in children with inflammatory bowel disease is often overdiagnosed due to detection of a carrier state in many when tested by PCR assays and the overlapping clinical features. This is particularly important when considering fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) due to the potential risks of this treatment.
Recently, I had a letter to the editor (J Pediatr 2018; 199: 283) on this topic that was accepted:
The author’s reply suggested that their approach followed IDSA guidelines by checking CDI with PCR in those who were clinically-symptomatic. Yet, the IDSA guidelines (link here: IDSA C diff guidelines) do not focus on the issue of IBD flare-ups which cause identical symptoms. Expert IBD specialists have recommended the following for identifying CDI in patients with IBD:
“Start with enzyme immunoassay-based tests with a reflex to PCR test for discordant enzyme immunoassay results.” Rationale: “PCR is quite sensitive for the presence of toxigenic C difficile, it may increase the detection of asymptomatic colonization and shedding.” (K Rao, PDR Higgins. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2016; 22: 1744-54.)
Related blog posts:
Posted by gutsandgrowth
Categories: Pediatric Gastroenterology Intestinal Disorder
Tags: Clostridium difficile, fecal microbiota transplant, inflammatory bowel disease
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Is there any concern or thought process that even if PCR positive in a active or flaring IBD patient you should treat? ….because the inflamed gut is still at higher risk of having that C. Diff present turn into active infection?
By Benjamin Enav on August 10, 2018 at 8:08 am
We really don’t know. That being said, if a patient is PCR+ for C diff but immmunoassay negative, they probably will not benefit from C diff therapy.
By gutsandgrowth on August 10, 2018 at 8:19 am