The StoP CDI study will test this idea in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.
If successful in demonstrating that vancomycin can prevent the disease, the research could save thousands of lives, stop tens of thousands of infections, and save millions of health care dollars.
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality recently awarded Dr. Sims with a $2.4 million grant to study a theory that could prevent thousands of C. difficile infections and deaths all over the world. This is one of the largest grants Beaumont Health has ever received.
Ms Post was diagnosed with a Clostridium difficile infection and was treated for it with vancomycin and got better. However, a few days after she stopped the vancomycin, the diarrhea would come back as the infection relapsed. After talking with several doctors she was directed to Matthew Sims, M.D., PhD, director of infectious disease research at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, who enrolled her in a research study and broke the cycle of relapses.
Dr. Sims believes oral vancomycin can keep the C. diff in check when the good bacteria is killed by other antibiotics and should prevent the patient from becoming sick. Participants in the study will be given vancomycin or a placebo along with the antibiotics treating the original infection.
Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak
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