Phage Therapy to Treat Clostridium difficile-associated Diarrhea

C. difficile is an opportunistic pathogenic bacterium which causes bowel infection accompanied with abdominal pain, various degrees of diarrhea and in the more severe cases, pseudomembranous colitis and sometimes death. It is common in certain parts of Canada; and a growing problem in our hospitals.

Phages are viruses which kill bacteria without harming people. They were first discovered in 1917 by a Canadian, Félix d’Hérelle. Phages have been used in Eastern Europe with impressive case reports but there is a clear lack of rigorous scientific analyses of their use to treat human disease.

Phage therapy to treat Clostridium difficile-associated Diarrhea (CDAD) would have the advantage of preventing, or at least minimizing, antibiotic use and possible resistance. - click for more

© 2008 CFID.