The BI Strain of Clostridium difficile Is Associated with Worse Outcomes

Clinical cure rates were lower and recurrence was more common with the BI strain than with other strains.

The increasing incidence and severity of Clostridium difficile infection has been associated with the spread of a specific strain in North America and Europe: restriction endonuclease group BI, North American field type 1, polymerase chain reaction ribotype 027. This NAP/BI/027 strain is often simply called the BI strain.

To analyze treatment outcomes associated with BI and non-BI strains, researchers pooled data from 999 participants in two completed phase III trials of oral vancomycin versus the newly approved fidaxomicin: one published trial (JW Infect Dis Feb 2 2011) and one not yet published. Fidaxomicin's manufacturer partly funded the analysis.

C. difficile was isolated in 719 participants, 247 (34%) of whom had the BI strain. The over…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)