What is the recommended treatment for non-severe Clostridium difficile infection?

For non-severe Clostridium difficile infections, the recommended treatment involves the use of oral vancomycin or oral fidaxomicin. These medications are effective in targeting the specific bacteria responsible for the infection and are preferred due to their localized action in the gastrointestinal tract, which is where the infection occurs.

Oral vancomycin has been shown to be particularly effective because it is not absorbed systemically, allowing for higher concentrations to be present in the gut to combat C. difficile. Similarly, fidaxomicin is a newer treatment that acts locally in the intestines and has been noted for its lower recurrence rates compared to other treatments.

Other treatment options, such as intravenous metronidazole, are generally not used for non-severe cases as they do not provide adequate local concentration in the gut. Furthermore, oral metronidazole was previously used, but clinical guidelines have shifted towards recommending vancomycin or fidaxomicin due to their higher efficacy and improved outcomes. Lastly, broad-spectrum antibiotics are not appropriate as they may disrupt the microbiome further, potentially exacerbating the infection.

Thus, the combination of efficacy, appropriate localization, and lower recurrence rates makes oral vancomycin or oral fidaxomicin the