The role of immunoglobulin for the treatment of Clostridium difficile infection: a systematic review

Clostridium difficile is the most common infectious cause of nosocomial healthcare-associated diarrhea. The increasing prevalence of C difficile, spread in the community, virulence and frequent relapse has created an urgent need to identify new effective treatments for C. difficile infection. Among these, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is used for cases of severe C. difficile infection. We undertook a systematic review to examine the published literature pertaining to the use of immunoglobulin for C. difficile infection. Four retrospective studies and five case reports that addressed the use of IVIG for the treatment of C. difficile infection were identified. One study on the use of oral immunoglobulin was identified. Although overall there appear to be benefits to using IVIG in recurrent severe disease, the small sample sizes and lack of control groups in three of the four studies do not allow recommendations to be made regarding the use of immunoglobulin in C. difficile infection. Further research is urgently needed to clarify the role of immunoglobulin - intravenous or oral - for the treatment of C. difficile infection. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of International Society for Infectious Diseases.