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Content Update

August 01, 2023

New Fecal Microbiota Products for the Prevention of Recurrent Clostridioides difficile Infection Recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a challenging issue for clinicians due to furthering dysbiosis of the microbiome that occurs. Fecal microbiota transplant has been used in select patients for decades as a method to break the CDI recurrence cycle and restore a healthy microbiome, however these treatments were not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and not without challenges. Two new FDA-approved agents designed to restore a disrupted microbiome in patients with recurrent CDI have been recently approved.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of the chapter, the reader will be able to:

  1. Define and differentiate between primary and secondary intra-abdominal infections (IAIs).

  2. Describe the microbiology typically seen with primary and secondary IAIs.

  3. Describe the clinical presentation typically seen with primary and secondary IAIs.

  4. Describe the role of culture and susceptibility information for diagnosis and treatment of IAIs.

  5. Recommend the most appropriate drug and nondrug measures to treat IAIs.

  6. Recommend an appropriate antimicrobial regimen for treatment of primary and secondary IAIs.

  7. Describe the patient-assessment process during the treatment of IAIs.

  8. Introduce the concepts of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) and antimicrobial de-escalation as it pertains to the treatment of IAIs.

INTRODUCTION

Intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) are those contained within the peritoneal cavity or retroperitoneal space. The peritoneal cavity extends from the undersurface of the diaphragm to the floor of the pelvis and contains the stomach, small bowel, large bowel, liver, gallbladder, and spleen. The duodenum, pancreas, kidneys, adrenal glands, great vessels (aorta and vena cava), and most mesenteric vascular structures reside in the retroperitoneum, which is the anatomical space in the abdominal cavity behind the peritoneum. IAIs may be generalized or localized. Localized IAIs may be contained within visceral structures, such as the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, kidney, or female reproductive organs. Two generalized types of IAI are discussed throughout this chapter: peritonitis and abscess. Peritonitis is defined as the acute inflammatory response of the peritoneal lining to microorganisms, chemicals, irradiation, or foreign-body injury.

An abscess is a purulent collection of fluid separated from surrounding tissue by a wall consisting of inflammatory cells and adjacent organs. It usually contains necrotic debris, bacteria, and inflammatory cells. Peritonitis and abscess differ considerably in presentation and approach to treatment.

EPIDEMIOLOGY AND ETIOLOGY

Peritonitis may be classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary. Primary peritonitis, also called spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, is an infection of the peritoneal cavity without an evident source of bacteria from the abdomen.1,2 In secondary peritonitis, a focal disease process is evident within the abdomen. Secondary peritonitis may involve perforation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract (possibly due to ulceration, ischemia, or obstruction), postoperative ...

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