Clostridioides difficile Infection

Dear Colleagues,

The Gram-positive, anaerobic bacterium Clostridioides difficile (CD) represents the commonest cause of nosocomial diarrhea worldwide and is responsible for increased morbidity, mortality, and prolonged hospital stay. The focus of this Special Issue includes any aspects concerning Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). Indeed, there is the need for studies to clarify some important aspects of this complex disease.

First, the intestinal burden of CD has a significant impact on its hospital spread. The persistent shedding of CD even after the completion of anti-CDI antimicrobial therapy significantly contributes to CD transmission. Understanding the routes of in-hospital and community CD transmission is crucial to develop specific interventions to reduce the spread of CDI.

A further issue is the definition and validation of antimicrobial stewardship programs on CD prevention, considering that antimicrobial stewardship programs may reduce CDI incidence.

No less important is the high recurrence rate observed with the currently available CDI therapy. The alarming rate of CDI recurrence urges the proposal and the evaluation of innovative therapeutic approaches.

Finally, many advances in our knowledge of CDI pathogenesis and the role of intestinal microbiota have been recently made. Studies on the innate and adaptive immune response towards CD and on the interplay between CD and other microbiota components may further clarify the complex interaction between CD and the host.

Dr. Guido Granata
Guest Editor

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