[New treatment options for infections with Clostridium difficile].

Currently available broad spectrum antibiotics are not sufficiently effective against recurrent Clostridium difficile infections (CDI). Donor faecal microbiota transplantation is a very effective treatment for second and recurrent infection but is time-consuming and requires careful screening of donors. The new narrow spectrum antibiotic fidaxomicin is a good alternative in a first CDI or a first recurrence, but treatment is expensive and there are no data on its effectiveness in a second or later recurrence. Fidaxomicin is less effective against infections caused by the Ribotype 027 strain, a virulent strain that is regularly encountered in the Netherlands. The effectiveness of various other promising narrow spectrum antibiotics is currently being investigated. Medications that support the gut flora or the immune system seem to offer new perspectives. Expectations for the currently available probiotic preparations and toxin binders are not high.