An in silico evaluation of treatment regimens for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a significant nosocomial infection worldwide, that recurs in as many as 35% of infections. Risk of CDI recurrence varies by ribotype, which also vary in sporulation and germination rates. Whether sporulation/germination mediate risk of recurrence and effectiveness of treatment of recurring CDI remains unclear. We aim to assess the role of sporulation/germination patterns on risk of recurrence, and the relative effectiveness of the recommended tapered/pulsing regimens using an in silico model.

Methods

We created a compartmental in-host mathematical model of CDI, composed of vegetative cells, toxins, and spores, to explore whether sporulation and germination have an impact on recurrence rates. We also simulated the effectiven

SUBMITTER: Blanco N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5553947 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature