Overview
The C. diff Returns: The Latest Strategies to Mitigate Recurrence
Conference Highlights
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Originally presented at a virtual symposium following the IDWeek™ 2020, Paul Feuerstadt, MD, Kevin W. Garey, PharmD, and Krishna Rao, MD, discuss guideline-directed prevention and treatment of recurrent Clostridium difficile (C. diff). Other discussion topics include risk factors for C. diff recurrence as well as antimicrobial interventions to reduce recurrence and improve outcomes.
This activity is intended for ID specialists, hospitalists, internists, pharmacists and other clinicians who care for patients at risk of gastrointestinal infection.
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and impact on patient quality of life. Further, recurrence of CDI is common after an initial episode. Although several therapies with varying mechanisms of action are available to treat CDI and prevent recurrence, the management of recurrent and refractory CDI is complex and challenging. Clinicians require up-to-date knowledge of available guidelines and evidence-based treatment of recurrent CDI to reduce its burden and improve clinical outcomes.
Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
• Implement tools to identify patients who may be at increased risk for recurrent C. difficile infection
• Outline evidence-based approaches for the management of first and second recurrences of C. difficile infection in diverse patient populations
• Describe the role of available antimicrobial agents and biologics for treatment and prevention of recurrent C. difficile infection
Section 1: Introduction to C. difficile Infection – Krishna Rao, MD, MS
• Pathophysiology
• Epidemiology
• Risk Factors
• Diagnosis:
Differentiating C. diff from other infections
Single step vs multistep testing
• Pathophysiology
• Epidemiology
• Risk Factors
• Diagnosis:
Differentiating C. diff from other infections
Single step vs multistep testing
Section 2: Guideline-based Management of C. difficile Infection – Paul Feuerstadt, MD, FACG, AGAF
• Treatment of Initial Infection
• Treatment of Recurrent Infection: First and Subsequent Recurrences
• Prevention of Recurrence
Section 3: New Therapies/Frequently Asked Questions in C. difficile Infection – Kevin W. Garey, PharmD, MS
• Bezlotoxumab Clinical Trial Data and Potential Role(s) in Care
• FMT
• Most Frequently Asked Questions: Diagnosis and Management During the Pandemic
This activity is sponsored by the Academy for Continued Healthcare Learning
Supported by an educational grant from Merck & Company.
1. Active Internet connection (DSL or Cable). Dial-up connection will have constant buffering problem.
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6. Allow ActiveX controls to run on your computer: If the yellow strip appears on the top of your web browser while running the Webcast, right click on it and select Allow blocked contents to run.
2. Compatible with Windows PC and MAC (256 MB of RAM or higher)
3. Activity is best viewed on Internet Explorer 9.0 or higher, Safari 5.0 or higher and Firefox 29.0 or higher
4. Adobe Flash Player 12.0 (or higher). Click here to download Adobe Flash Player for free.
5. Adobe Reader to print certificate. Click here to download Adobe Reader for free.
6. Allow ActiveX controls to run on your computer: If the yellow strip appears on the top of your web browser while running the Webcast, right click on it and select Allow blocked contents to run.
Turn the Pop-up blocker off: On the Tools menu, point to Pop-up Blocker, and then click Turn Off Pop-up Blocker.
Paul Feuerstadt, MD, FACG, AGAF
Gastroenterology Center of Connecticut
Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine
Yale University School of Medicine
Hamden, CT
Gastroenterology Center of Connecticut
Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine
Yale University School of Medicine
Hamden, CT
Kevin W. Garey, PharmD, MS
Professor and Chair
Department of Pharmacy Practice and Translational Research
University of Houston College of Pharmacy
Houston, TX
Krishna Rao, MD, MS
Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases
Michigan Medicine Infectious Disease | Taubman Center
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI
The Academy for Continued Healthcare Learning (ACHL) requires that the faculty participating in a CME/CE activity disclose all affiliations or other financial relationships (1) with the manufacturers of any commercial product(s) and/or provider(s) of commercial services discussed in an educational presentation and (2) with any commercial supporters of the activity. All conflicts of interest have been resolved prior to this CME/CE activity.
The following financial relationships have been provided:
Paul Feuerstadt, MD, FACG, AGAF (Chair)
Advisory Board: Ferring/Rebiotix
Consulting Agreements: Ferring/Rebiotix; Seres Therapeutics; Roche Diagnostics
Speakers’ Bureau: Merck & Company
Kevin W. Garey, PharmD, MS
Consulting Agreements: Merck & Company; Summit
Grants/Research Support: Acurx; Merck & Company; Paratek; Summit; Tetraphase
Krishna Rao, MD, MS
Consulting Agreements (Occasional): Bio-K+ International, Inc.; Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
Grants/Research Support: Merck & Company
Discussion of Off-Label, Investigational, or Experimental Drug/Device Use: Tapered and pulsed vancomycin, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), RBX7455, RBX2660, SER-109, CP101, VE303, and C. diff toxoid vaccine
ACHL staff members and others involved with the planning, development, and review of the content for this activity have no relevant affiliations or financial relationships to disclose.
The content for this activity was developed independently of the commercial supporter. All materials are included with permission. The opinions expressed are those of the faculty and are not to be construed as those of the publisher or grantor.
This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Accreditation Criteria, Policies, and Standards for Commercial Support, as well as the ACPE Accreditation Standards for Continuing Pharmacy Education. Recommendations involving clinical medicine in a continuing medical education (CME/CE) activity must be based on evidence that is accepted within the profession of medicine as adequate justification for their indications and contraindications in the care of patients. All scientific research referred to, reported, or used in CME/CE in support or justification of a patient care recommendation must conform to the generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection, and analysis.
This CME/CE activity might describe the off-label, investigational, or experimental use of medications and/or devices that may exceed their FDA-approved labeling. Physicians should consult the current manufacturers’ prescribing information for these products. ACHL requires the speaker to disclose that a product is not labeled for the use under discussion.
This activity will take approximately 75 minutes to complete. To receive credit, participants are required to complete the pretest, view the online activity, and complete the posttest and evaluation. A certificate will be immediately available. There is no fee to participate in the activity or for the generation of the certificate.
Partial credit may not be awarded for pharmacy credit; participation in the complete activity is required to receive credit. CPE credit will be submitted to CPE Monitor® on the first day of each month.
Inquiries may be directed to ACHL at (877) 444-8435, ext. 160.
The Academy for Continued Healthcare Learning is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Academy for Continued Healthcare Learning designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
The Academy for Continued Healthcare Learning is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.
This activity has been approved for 1.25 contact hours.
ACPE Universal Activity Number: 0396-0000-20-47-H01-P
Activity Types: Application
