Infection News

Following FDA approval of the first fecal microbiota biotherapeutics for recurrent Clostridoides difficile, the American Gastroenterological Association summarized what this means for gastroenterologists and patients going forward.

The FDA has approved Rebyota, a microbiota-based live biotherapeutic indicated for the prevention of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection in adults after antibiotic treatment, Ferring Pharmaceuticals announced in a press release.

The bacterium Clostridioides difficile tends to “cooperate” with microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract, such as the pathogen Enterococcus, which can help the bacterium thrive, according to a study published in Nature.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Withholding immunosuppressive therapy prior to or following COVID-19 vaccination did not impact the rate of breakthrough infection or hospitalizations in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, noted a presenter here.

SER-109, an investigational oral microbiome therapeutic, was well-tolerated and durably reduced rates of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection through 24 weeks, with benefits showing as early as week 2, data show.

WASHINGTON — Patients with cirrhosis who received three doses of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, demonstrated an 80% reduced risk for SARS-COV-2 infection, symptomatic COVID-19, and moderate/severe/critical COVID-19, noted a presenter here.

Healio spoke with Meg Doherty, MD, MPH, PhD, Director Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes at WHO, about elimination efforts for hepatitis D, including how hepatitis D would be affected by WHO Global Hepatitis Elimination goals and what U.S. physician can do to help work towards hepatitis elimination.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In a Healio video exclusive, Paul Feuerstadt, MD, FACG, AGAF, highlighted how live microbiota-based products, such as RBX2660, could drastically transform the treatment of recurrent C. difficile infection.

Recent and ongoing outbreaks associated with person-to-person transmission have marked a shift in hepatitis A virus epidemiology in the United States, according to data published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Immunosuppressed patients with inflammatory bowel disease who received a third COVID-19 vaccine demonstrated improved antibody binding, although the response was reduced in patients receiving infliximab and tofacitinib.