It’s time to rethink your approach to C diff infection

CASE 2: Ms. Z has several risk factors for recurrent CDI and has an elevated WBC count and SCr level (WBC ≥ 15,000 and SCr > 1.5 mg/dL). Thus, she is classified as having severe, recurrent CDI. Oral levofloxacin and metronidazole should be discontinued, because they increase the risk for treatment failure and development of more virulent CDI strains, such as BI/NAP1/027. Since Ms. Z used metronidazole for treatment of her initial CDI, vancomycin or fidaxomicin should be used at this time. Either vancomycin PO 125 mg qid for 10 days or fidaxomicin 200 mg bid for 10 days would be an appropriate regimen; however, because of cost and unknown insurance coverage, vancomycin is the most appropriate regimen.

CORRESPONDENCE
Jeremy Vandiver, PharmD, BCPS, University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph Family Medicine Residency, 1000 E. University Avenue, Dept 3375, Laramie, WY 82071; jvandive@uwyo.edu