Clostridium Difficile Infection (CDI): Asia Pacific Clinical Trial Landscape

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a serious gastrointestinal disease caused by toxins produced by the spore-forming bacterium Clostridium difficile. It is mediated by toxins A (enterotoxin) and B (cytotoxin) and occasionally binary toxin (CDT). Infection results from spores that are highly resistant to many disinfection methods and persist in healthcare environments. A prolonged hospital stay, antibiotic use, and advanced age are risk factors for C. difficile infection (CDI). Notably, there is a global rise in the prevalence of CDI among younger people with no recent hospitalization. The severity of CDI can range from self-limiting diarrhea to potentially fatal toxic megacolon and/or pseudomembranous colitis. (1)