Natural defense against C. diff uncovered by CWRU researcher and colleagues
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have uncovered a natural defense mechanism that could be key to fighting the stubborn and sometimes deadly "superbug" Clostridium difficile, know as "C. diff," without using conventional antibiotics. The new findings were published Sunday in the online issue of the journal Nature Medicine.
C. diff, a bacterium resistant to many drugs, has become a major problem for hospital and nursing home patients in Ohio and nationwide killing more than 28,000 people each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Researcher Dr. Jonathan Stamler said in a phone interview last week that he and his colleagues have uncovered a natural defense produced in a person's body to fight C. diff.
C. diff often invades the colon after antibiotics have destroyed the healthy flora. The bacterium releases toxins in the gut that can cause diarrhea, more serious conditions such as colitis and sometimes death. Doctors often prescribe another antibiotic to fight C. diff, but the treatment doesn't always work.
Although human trials for the potential drug have not yet begun, Stamler said, there likely would be an alternative to antibiotics for treating C. diff. with fewer side affects.
In the study published in Nature Medicine, Stamler describes the mechanism that is capable of inactivating the toxins spread in the colon by C. diff.
Stamler explained that the newly discovered mechanism involves a nitric oxide-based molecule called S-nitrosoglutathione or GSNO. This molecule binds to the toxins secreted by C. diff, deactivates them and prevents them from penetrating and damaging cells.
The GSNO only binds when the toxin is doing damage, Stamler added.
GSNO works by inserting part of itself into the center of the toxin, he said, in a process called nitrosylation.
"Figuring out how the mechanism deactivates the toxins gives us a basis for developing new therapies that can directly target toxins and prevent bacterial infections from spreading," said Stamler, director of the Institute for Transformative Molecular Medicine at Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals.
C Diff Colitis - News
C. difficile is an antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection that can cause diarrhea and inflammation of the colon, or colitis. At its worst, it can be fatal. "This is a $3.5 billion problem in the US alone and it's rising rapidly because of new,
C. diff often invades the colon after antibiotics have destroyed the healthy flora. The bacterium releases toxins in the gut that can cause diarrhea, more serious conditions such as colitis and sometimes death. Doctors often prescribe another
This creates an opportunity for C. diff to multiply, resulting in illness that is often characterized by severe diarrhea, colitis and other complications. C. diff is also highly contagious and it can be transmitted from contaminated surfaces and
C. difficile is a highly drug-resistant bacterium, which exists in the environment in spore (or inactive) form and produces a toxin that causes diarrhea and more serious intestinal conditions such as colitis. C. difficile spores are frequently found in
Michael O'Shea's cell toilet backed up, which his family believes caused him to get an intestinal infection called clostridium difficile colitis. Marian O'Shea says she pleaded with Department of Correction officials to give her husband his proper
My Guide for Eating with C Diff Colitis
I have known of my C Diff (Clostridium Difficile) for about a month now. This diagnosis comes after a long battle with my health this summer. My body's immune system became overruled by "bad bacteria" and I lost all of the good bacteria in my colon. They say that this occurs because of antibiotic resistance. Obviously, I have had some stomach issues in the past but I can say this has been the worst. It has been a nasty, nasty infection. This infection has caused me to go on medical leave from work. I finished 14 days of antibiotics last Friday. C diff can stay with you for a long time and you can relapse over and over again. I hope to be at the end of C Diff - I will find out on Friday when I go to the gastroenterologist. ( Wikipedia definition here ) I have been gluten free off and on for many years and this past spring I went off of it for good. My Grandmother has Celiac Disease and I have been tested with negative results. Therefore, I do not say I have Celiac just a Gluten Sensitivity. Still I find that I have many reactions when I do eat gluten so I am done with it. Reactions include headaches, skin rashes/eczema, diarrhea, constipation, gas, heartburn, and stomach pain. Fun stuff. ( Wikipedia definition here ) I was diagnosed with Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis three years ago. This is a very rare disease that is based on food allergies. I have a lot of them. I am lucky though, some people can't eat any real food. Their nutrition comes from a tube inserted into their side. ( Wikipedia definition here ) Okie dokie, with that covered... onto what I have been eating. I'll keep updating this as I think of things. And I will post more recipes in the following days. This has been geared towards the C Diff Colitis because that is what I am dealing with right now.
C Diff Colitis - Bookshelf
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Clostridium Difficile Colitis (C. diff) Overview
What is Clostridium difficile colitis?Clostridium difficile (also called C. difficile) are bacteria that can cause swelling and irritation of the large intestine, or ...
MedicineNet.com: Clostridium Difficile Colitis
Explains how Clostridium difficile bacteria cause colitis and why patients may suffer relapses of the condition.
C. difficile: Symptoms - MayoClinic.com
C. difficile — Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, treatment and causes of Clostridium difficile infection.
Clostridium difficile - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
C. difficile infections are the most common cause of pseudomembranous colitis, and in rare cases this can ... Wins Story (The risks of C Diff infection and hospital neglect) ...
Pseudomembranous colitis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Because of this, the informal name C. difficile colitis is also commonly used. ... The first step is performed by testing for the presence of the C. Diff GDH antigen. ...