The strongest observable and specific effect of metformin in our study was the reduction in abundance of the family Peptostreptococcaceae and three genera within it. Members of this family, in principle, have been associated with compromised health–one of the most convincing examples being Clostridium difficile.

What medication increases risk for C diff?

The primary risk factor for C difficile colitis is previous exposure to antibiotics; the most commonly implicated agents include the cephalosporins (especially second and third generation), the fluoroquinolones, ampicillin/amoxicillin, and clindamycin.

What is the best medication for C diff?

Vancomycin and fidaxomicin are the most effective antibiotics against Clostridium difficile infections. They are both equally effective at wiping out an initial infection. However, patients treated with fidaxomicin have a lower rate of a recurrent C.

Is trehalose good for diabetics?

In August, researchers from Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine published a study in the Journal of Clinical Investigation Insight, suggesting that dietary trehalose, or an analog, may help treat metabolic diseases, including diabetes.

Can metformin treat C diff infection?

Inspired by these findings, Shaohua Wang, Ph.D., a researcher in the lab of Hariom Yadav, Ph.D., evaluated the effect of metformin on C. diff infection in three different models. She tested the treatment in cell cultures, mice and an ex vivo model of the human microbiota developed by the lab.

Can a common diabetes drug prevent Clostridioides difficile infection?

Researchers from Wake Forest School of Medicine in North Carolina have demonstrated that a common diabetes drug inhibits the spread of Clostridioides difficile, or C. diff—a potentially life-threatening infection commonly acquired during hospital stays.

Does metformin alter the microbiome of people with diabetes?

Metformin, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, is the fourth most prescribed drug in the U.S. Earlier studies have shown that metformin beneficially alters the microbiomes of people with diabetes and of the elderly.

What is C diff infection?

C. diff is the most common hospital-acquired infection in the U.S. It starts in the intestines, often after a course of antibiotics. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention categorizes the bacteria C. diff as a public health threat that “require [s] urgent and aggressive action.”