Gastroenterology

Clostridium difficile could be mutating to transfer from pets to humans.

Patients using statins had a 4.3% infection rate compared with a 7.8% rate for those not taking statins, concluding that statins may be associated with a 20% risk reduction.

Patients receiving long-term care more likely to test positive for VRE than toxigenic C. difficile.

Patients who consumed vinegar daily along with a restricted calorie diet lost more weight and saw improved BMI scores compared to those just on the diet.

Long-term care facility residents with advanced dementia have substantial dysbiosis of their gut microbiome which may be able to identify subjects at high risk of C. difficile colonization.

Hospital-specific models allow for earlier and more accurate identification of high-risk patients to better target infection prevention strategies.

The update includes significant changes in the management of this infection and reflects the evolving controversy over best methods for diagnosis.

Developers hope the beta-3 agonist can report consistent efficacy and tolerability.