bezlotoxumab
Regulatory sources consulted
Approved indications
- Reduction of C. difficile infection recurrence in adults and pediatric patients at least 1 year old who are at high risk, during antibacterial treatment of the episode. It does not treat active infection.
Clinical warnings
- In patients with prior heart failure, more decompensations and deaths were observed; use only if benefit outweighs risk and monitor closely. — DailyMed, set_id 8f479bfe-2bfa-4cc5-9aee-1357364480b0
- Major warning · It does not replace antibacterial treatment of the active C. difficile episode. — DailyMed, set_id 8f479bfe-2bfa-4cc5-9aee-1357364480b0
Adverse events
Common (≥1%)
Adults: nausea, fever, and headache; pediatric patients: fever and headache
Pregnancy and lactation
There are insufficient data in pregnancy or lactation; use only after individual clinical benefit-risk assessment.
Recent literature (PubMed)
This clinical practice guideline is a focused update on management of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in adults specifically addressing the use of fidaxomicin and bezlotoxumab for the treatment of CDI. This guideline was developed by a multidisciplinary panel representing the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA). This guideline is intended for use by healthcare professionals who care for adults with CDI, including specialists in infectious diseases, gastroenterologists, hospitalists, pharmacists, and any clinicians and healthcare providers caring for these patients. The panel's recommendations for the management CDI are based upon evidence derived from topic-specific systematic literature reviews. Summarized below are the recommendations for the management of CDI in adults. The panel followed a systematic process which included a standardized methodology for rating the certainty of the evidence and strength of recommendation using the GRADE approach (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation). A detailed description of background, methods, evidence summary and rationale that support each recommendation, and knowledge gaps can be found online in the full text.
Clostridioides difficile infection is the most common healthcare-associated infection in the United States, with potential life-threatening complications and a significant impact on the costs of care. Antibiotic stewardship as well as discontinuation of chronic acid suppressive therapy are key for its prevention and treatment. Effective infection management requires appropriate interpretation of diagnostic tests, as well as the use of vancomycin and fidaxomicin as first-line treatment. Novel treatments such as Bezlotoxumab, fecal microbiota transplant, and live biotherapeutic products are proven effective in recurrent C. difficile infection and address dysbiosis.
The chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis, are associated with an increased risk of symptomatic Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). CDI may also masquerade as an IBD flare and complicate IBD management. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of CDI in IBD patients. CDI remains common in IBD with complications including flares in disease activity, recurrent CDI episodes, and prolonged hospital stays. Newer IBD therapeutics including vedolizumab, ustekinumab, and tofacitinib are less likely to cause severe CDI. A high index of suspicion, rapid testing via a two-step method, and prompt treatment with vancomycin or fidaxomicin are paramount to managing CDI in IBD patients. Strategies to prevent recurrent CDI (rCDI) include the monoclonal antibody bezlotoxumab as well as fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). FMT has a robust profile of safety and effectiveness in preventing rCDI in adults and children. Clinicians must remain vigilant in the prompt diagnosis and treatment of CDI in IBD patients. Corticosteroids, unnecessary antibiotics, and ongoing colonic inflammatory disease are modifiable risk factors. Improved infection control measures, newer IBD medications, and using effective CDI treatments will facilitate a reduced burden of severe CDI and complications for IBD patients.
Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) is a Gram-positive, spore-forming anaerobic bacterium emerged as a leading cause of diarrhea globally. CDI's (Clostridioides difficile infection) impact on healthcare systems is concerning due to high treatment cost and increased hospitalisation time. The incidence of CDI has been influenced by hypervirulent strains such as the 027 ribotype, responsible for significant outbreaks in North America and Europe. CDI's epidemiology has evolved, showing increased community-acquired cases alongside traditional hospital-acquired infections. Mortality rates remain high, with recurrent infections further elevating the risk. Transmission of C. difficile primarily occurs via spores, which survive in healthcare settings and play a pivotal role in transmission. Not only health workers, but also the food chain could have a significant impact on the transmission of infection, although no confirmed foodborne cases have been documented. Pathogenicity of C. difficile involves spore germination and toxin production. Toxins A and B can cause cellular damage and inflammatory responses in the host, leading to colitis. Clinical picture can range from mild diarrhea to fulminant colitis with toxic megacolon, and bowel perforation. Risk factors for CDI include antibiotic exposure, advanced age, hospitalization, and use of proton pump inhibitors. Patients who experience abdominal surgery or patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are particularly susceptible due to their compromised gut microbiota. Management of CDI has evolved, with fidaxomicin emerging as a superior treatment option over vancomycin for initial and recurrent infections due to its reduction of recurrence rate. Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is effective for recurrent CDI, restoring gut eubiosis. Bezlotoxumab, a monoclonal antibody against C. difficile toxin B, has shown promise in reducing recurrence rates. Severe cases of CDI may require surgical intervention, particularl
Clostridioides difficile colitis is an important source of hospital-acquired diarrhea associated with antibiotic use. Symptoms are profuse watery diarrhea, typically following a course of antibiotics; however, some cases of fulminant disease may manifest with shock, ileus, or megacolon. Nonfulminant colitis is treated with oral fidaxomicin. C difficile colitis has a high potential for recurrence, and recurrent episodes are also treated with fidaxomicin. Bezlotoxumab is another medication that may be used in populations at high risk for further recurrence. Fulminant disease is treated with maximal medical therapy and early surgical consultation. Antibiotic stewardship is critical to preventing C difficile colitis.