Muhammad Aziz1, Rawish Fatima2, Lindsey N Douglass3, Omar Abughanimeh4, Shahzad Raza5. 1. a Department of Internal Medicine , University of Kansas Medical Center , Kansas City , MO , USA. 2. b Department of Medicine , Dow University of Health Sciences , Karachi , Pakistan. 3. c Pharmacy Department , Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City , Kansas City , MO , USA. 4. d Department of Internal Medicine , Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City/University of Missouri , Kansas City , MO , USA. 5. e Department of Hematology & Oncology , St. Luke's Hospital of Kansas City/University of Missouri , Kansas City , MO , USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a significant health burden, now recognized as the leading cause of acquired diarrhea in patients receiving antibiotic therapy. Complications of infection with this pathogen include severe diarrhea, causing electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, hemodynamic instability, toxic megacolon, shock, and death. Hence it is extremely paramount to stay updated on management options for this infection, especially in cancer patients. REVIEW: This article presents an in-depth review of literature on the treatment modalities available for CDI in cancer patients. Relevant articles highlighting therapeutic and symptomatic management of CDI patients with underlying malignancy have been summarized. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the current options available, more studies are needed to assess the newer therapeutic options that are being employed for populations other than cancer patients.
BACKGROUND:Clostridium difficileinfection (CDI) is a significant health burden, now recognized as the leading cause of acquired diarrhea in patients receiving antibiotic therapy. Complications of infection with this pathogen include severe diarrhea, causing electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, hemodynamic instability, toxic megacolon, shock, and death. Hence it is extremely paramount to stay updated on management options for this infection, especially in cancerpatients. REVIEW: This article presents an in-depth review of literature on the treatment modalities available for CDI in cancerpatients. Relevant articles highlighting therapeutic and symptomatic management of CDIpatients with underlying malignancy have been summarized. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the current options available, more studies are needed to assess the newer therapeutic options that are being employed for populations other than cancerpatients.