Current and Ongoing Developments in Targeting <i>Clostridioides difficile</i> Infection and Recurrence

Abstract

Clostridioides difficile is a Gram-positive, spore-forming anaerobic bacterial pathogen that causes severe gastrointestinal infection in humans. This review provides background information on C. difficile infection and the pathogenesis and toxigenicity of C. difficile. The risk factors, causes, and the problem of recurrence of disease and current therapeutic treatments are also discussed. Recent therapeutic developments are reviewed including small molecules that inhibit toxin formation, disrupt the cell membrane, inhibit the sporulation process, and activate the host immune system in cells. Other treatments discussed include faecal microbiota treatment, antibody-based immunotherapies, probiotics, vaccines, and violet-blue light disinfection.

Keywords

• <i>Clostridioides difficile</i> infection
• therapeutics
• sporulation
• virulence factors
• membrane disruption
• cationic peptidomimetic