<p>Dr. Julie Ann Justo is joined by experts Drs. Krista Gens and Javier A. Villafuerte Gálvez as they dive deep into the gut microbiome and explore the latest therapeutic frontier for <em>C. difficile</em> infections.  From bacteria battles to breakthrough treatments, this one’s a must-listen! You can also review the helpful infographic on our website (<a href="https://breakpoints-sidp.org/infographics/" rel="nofollow">https://breakpoints-sidp.org/infographics/</a>). </p> <p>This podcast was supported by an unrestricted grant from Nestlé Health Science.</p> <p>References:</p> <ol> <li> <p>Helpful review from one of our guest experts: Gens KD, et al. Fecal microbiota transplantation and emerging treatments for Clostridium difficile infection. J Pharm Pract. 2013 Oct;26(5):498-505. doi: 10.1177/0897190013499527. PMID: 23966282.</p> </li> <li> <p>More modern review: Herbin SR, et al. Breaking the Cycle of Recurrent Clostridioides difficile Infections: A Narrative Review Exploring Current and Novel Therapeutic Strategies. J Pharm Pract. 2024 Dec;37(6):1361-1373. doi: 10.1177/08971900241248883. Epub 2024 May 13. PMID: 38739837.</p> </li> <li> <p>Review on designing microbiota based therapies (pre-print only): Ke S, et al. Rational Design of Live Biotherapeutic Products for the Prevention of Clostridioides difficile Infection. 2024 May 02. doi: 10.1101/2024.04.30.591969.</p> </li> <li> <p>[FDA Guidance regarding IND requirements for fecal microbiota transplant](<a href="https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/enforcement-policy-regarding-investigational-new-drug-requirements-use-fecal-microbiota" rel="nofollow">https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/enforcement-policy-regarding-investigational-new-drug-requirements-use-fecal-microbiota</a>). 2022 Nov.</p> </li> <li> <p>OpenBiome webpage with resources for hospitals: <a href="https://openbiome.org/how-to-start-an-fmt-program/" rel="nofollow">How to Start an FMT Program</a>. 2025.</p> </li> <li> <p>Peery AF, et al. AGA Clinical Practice Guideline on Fecal Microbiota-Based Therapies for Select Gastrointestinal Diseases. Gastroenterology. 2024 Mar;166(3):409-434. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2024.01.008. PMID: 38395525.</p> </li> <li> <p>Johnson S, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA): 2021 Focused Update Guidelines on Management of Clostridioides difficile Infection in Adults. Clin Infect Dis. 2021 Sep 7;73(5):755-757. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciab718. PMID: 34492699.</p> </li> <li> <p>Henry Ford’s experience getting fecal microbiota products for patients: Abene S. <a href="https://www.contagionlive.com/view/specialty-pharmacy-integration-of-oral-fecal-microbiota-spores-enables-medication-access-in-over-half-of-patients-with-recurrent-c-difficile-infection?rand=2671" rel="nofollow">Fecal Microbiota Capsules Improve CDI Access Through Specialty Pharmacy Integration</a>. Contagion Live. 2025 Jul 11.</p> </li> <li> <p>An international view on CDI management: Mendo-Lopez R, et al. Best Practices in the Management of Clostridioides difficile Infection in Developing Nations. Trop Med Infect Dis. 2024 Aug 19;9(8):185. doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed9080185. PMID: 39195623.</p> </li> <li> <p>Review on investigational LBP agents: Monday L, et al. Microbiota-Based Live Biotherapeutic Products for Clostridioides Difficile Infection- The Devil is in the Details. Infect Drug Resist. 2024 Feb 15;17:623-639. doi: 10.2147/IDR.S419243. PMID: 38375101.</p> </li> <li> <p>More on quorum sensing: Falà AK, et al. Quorum sensing in human gut and food microbiomes: Significance and potential for therapeutic targeting. Front Microbiol. 2022 Nov 25;13:1002185. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1002185. PMID: 36504831.</p> </li> <li> <p>Economic impacts of CDI pts: Reilly J, et al. Economic impact of multiple recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection in a community teaching hospital. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2025 Sep 29:1-3. doi: 10.1017/ice.2025.10295. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41020576.</p> </li> </ol>