Tag Archives: Microbiome research

A three-time C. diff. Survivor and Registered Dietician publish book for patients, families, and caregivers impacted by Clostridioides difficile

TAMPA, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- In the new book, "Managing a C. difficile Infection: For Patients, Families, and Caregivers" (ISBN: 979-8519789851), Nancy C. Caralla, three-time C. diff. Survivor, Founding President, Executive Director of the C Diff Foundation, and Karen F. Factor, MS, RD. LDN, Nutrition Wellness Chairperson of the C Diff Foundation share their knowledge and experience with patients, family members, and caregivers who have been impacted by a C. difficile infection (CDI) and CDI recurrences.

The book will answer the many questions focused on C. difficile infections, C. difficile prevention, home environment cleaning, nutrition, while introducing the readers to the microbiome and clinical trials.

About Clostridioides difficile Infection (CDI)

Clostridioides (formerly Clostridium) difficile, also known as C. difficile, C. diff., is one of the most common cause and leading healthcare-associated infection in U.S. hospitals (Lessa, et al, 2015, New England Journal of Medicine). Recent estimates suggest C. difficile approaches 500,000 infections annually in the United States and is associated with approximately 20,000 deaths. (Guh, 2020, New England Journal of Medicine). Based on internal estimates including a recurrence rate of approximately 20%, we believe the annual incidence in the U.S. approaches 600,000.

About the Authors

Nancy C Caralla, Founding President, and Executive Director of the C Diff Foundation is a three-time Clostridioides difficile infection (C. diff., C. difficile) survivor. She has accumulated over 25 years of experience in the nursing profession blended with over 25 years of experience in international construction management. Over the past several years, Nancy, in partnership with the C Diff Foundation members, focuses on raising C. difficile awareness through education and advocating for Clostridioides difficile infection prevention, treatments, clinical trials, and environmental safety worldwide.

Karen F. Factor, Registered Dietitian (RD), C Diff Foundation's Chairperson of the Nutrition and Wellness Committee, is uniquely trained in the science of nutrition and practice of dietetics to design and provide medical nutrition therapy (MNT) and other evidence-based applications of the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) that exemplify the profession's systematic approach to providing high-quality nutrition care to individuals experiencing dietary challenges, especially during a CDI.

About the C Diff Foundation

The C Diff Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, founded in 2012 with a global mission educating and advocating for C. diff. infection (CDI) prevention, treatments, clinical trials, environmental safety, and support. The C Diff Foundation(tm) is the leading global patient advocacy organization.

Their mission continues moving forward and growing through research conducted by government, industry, and academia strengthening the advocacy on behalf of patients, healthcare professionals, and researchers worldwide.

For more information: https://cdifffoundation.org/

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kathy Bischoff
of C Diff Foundation
+1-727-205-3922
kathy@cdifffoundation.org

MULTIMEDIA:

*PHOTO Link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/21-0628s2p-cdiff-book-300dpi.jpg

*Caption: Cover, "Managing a C. difficile Infection: For Patients, Families, and Caregivers" (ISBN: 979-8519789851).

In the new book, "Managing a C. difficile Infection: For Patients, Families, and Caregivers" (ISBN: 979-8519789851), Nancy C. Caralla, three-time C. diff. Survivor, Founding President of the C Diff Foundation, and Karen F. Factor, MS, RD. LDN, Nutrition Wellness Chairperson, share their knowledge and experience with patients, family members, and caregivers who have been impacted by a CDI infection.

Related link: https://cdifffoundation.org/

Alzheimer’s Patient Recalls Daughter’s Birthday After Undergoing Fecal Transplant

VENTURA, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Dr. Sabine Hazan, founder of ProgenaBiome, a genetic sequencing lab in California, achieved rapid improvement in Alzheimer's disease (AD) symptoms in an 82-year-old male patient following fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).

After experiencing recurrent C.diff Infection (CDI) following hospitalization for pneumonia, the patient sought the expertise of Dr. Hazan, a gastroenterologist and microbiome expert. Since the patient previously failed several courses of antibiotics for CDI, with relapse confirmed via symptom recurrence and positive stool test, Dr. Hazan presented the option of fecal transplant (FMT). FMT involves the transfer of stool from a healthy individual to deliver healthy microbes to the gut of an ill patient. FMT can be used to treat CDI not responsive to standard therapies.

After a detailed discussion regarding the potential risks and benefits associated with the procedure, the patient underwent a single 300 mL FMT infusion using stool from his 85-year-old wife as a donor. At the time, the patient had scored 20 on his most recent Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) administered by a neurologist, indicating mild cognitive impairment. The patient's wife, on the other hand, was intellectually acute, with normal affect and stable mood.

Following the procedure, the patient's CDI symptoms resolved, and repeat stool testing two months later was negative. Additionally, the patient's wife reported improvements in his mental acuity and affect at the follow-up visit two months post-FMT. The MMSE was re-administered by the gastroenterologist and neurologist, and the patient scored 26, indicating normal cognition.

Four months post-FMT, the patient reported continued improvement in memory, with no progression in symptoms. The patient even remembered his daughter's birthday, which he was previously unable to recall. Six months post-FMT, the patient reported a marked improvement in mood, was more interactive, and showed more expressive affect. Readministration of the MMSE revealed that the patient's score had further increased to 29. The maximum MMSE score is 30 points.

Dr. Hazan is a specialist in gastroenterology, internal medicine and hepatology. She is the founder & CEO of ProgenaBiome, a genetic sequencing research laboratory dedicated to understanding the clinical implications of the microbiome.

"To our knowledge, this is the first report of a case of rapid symptom improvement of AD symptoms in a patient following FMT for recurrent CDI," says Dr. Hazan. "Based on the findings of this case and the analysis of the genetic sequencing of the gut flora, we will now submit an investigative new drug (IND) application for 20 additional Alzheimer's patients to undergo fecal transplant. We hope to reproduce this case and develop a stool marker that can help patients prevent Alzheimer's in the future."

While this case is a proof of concept for one patient, Dr. Hazan looks forward to expanding her work. She is currently seeking funding to expand the clinical trial for Alzheimer's improvement via FMT.

Dr Hazan also assembled the BIOME SQUAD, a group of her colleagues and fellow FMT doctors. The Biome Squad will be presenting data on the microbiome and fecal transplant at the Malibu Microbiome Meeting.

There will be a Virtual Prelude Rerun on October 14, 4 p.m. PT/PDT. For details and registration, visit: https://malibumicrobiomemeeting.com/

Read the full Alzheimer's report: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0300060520925930

Interviews / Investors, Contact: Stephanie Davis, sdavis@progenabiome.com

Support ongoing research: https://microbiomeresearchfoundation.com/

About ProgenaBiome:

Strategically placed as a genetic sequencing lab, site, contract research organization (CRO), and now sponsor, ProgenaBiome has 42+ ongoing clinical trials related to immunity and disease with six COVID-19 studies validating testing, prophylaxis, and treatment protocols for the novel coronavirus.

For more, visit https://progenabiome.com

MULTIMEDIA:

Image link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-1006s2p-malibu-microbiome-300dpi.jpg

Caption: Malibu Microbiome Meeting poster.

Dr. Sabine Hazan, founder of ProgenaBiome, a genetic sequencing lab in California, achieved rapid improvement in Alzheimer's disease (AD) symptoms in an 82-year-old male patient following fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).

Related link: https://progenabiome.com/

C.diff. International Conference and Health EXPO Will Deliver Up-to-date Clostridioides difficile Data + More Nov. 6-7 In St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, Mo. /ScoopCloud/ -- The C Diff Foundation is honored to welcome 30+ international leading topic experts from hospitals, pharma, biotech, academia, and Government agencies to deliver and discuss critical information on global healthcare-associated issues.

To learn more about this extraordinary conference, agenda and guest speakers: https://cdifffoundation.org/2019-guest-speakers/

Clinical professionals will gather for two days to present up-to-date data to expand on the existing knowledge and raise awareness of the urgency focused on, but not limited to, Clostridioides difficile (formally known as Clostridium difficile) infection (CDI) Prevention, Treatments, Research, Diagnostics, Clinical trials, and Environmental Safety.

There will also be presentations exclusively concentrated on Infection prevention, Fecal microbiota restoration and transplants for adults, a Panel of C. diff. infection Survivors; a patient's perspective, Microbiome research, Scientific posters and poster presentations, Antibiotic stewardship, Antimicrobial resistance, and a Healthcare EXPO component.

All attendees will have the highest levels of peer networking and learning opportunity at the Conference and Health EXPO. The conference program builds in time for face-to-face interaction between attending executives, corporate representatives and industry experts exhibiting.

C Diff Foundation expresses their gratitude to Pfizer for being the conference Diamond Sponsor. Pfizer is appreciated for their continued support and partnering with the C Diff Foundation in promoting C. diff. Awareness worldwide.

Attendee Linda Davis, RN, Patient Triage Specialist, said about the 2018 conference, "It's an excellent opportunity to have the ability to network with fellow-healthcare professionals from around the world. Each conference I have attended presents the opportunity to acquire knowledge with like-minded professionals striving to make a difference in the health care community. Attendees obtain the most innovative cutting-edge research and developments fighting today's complex world of healthcare-associated infections."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Clostridioides difficile infection (aka C.diff., C. difficile, CDI, CDAD) "has become the most common microbial cause of healthcare-associated infections in U.S. hospitals and costs up to $4.8 billion each year in excess health care costs for acute care facilities alone." Statistics provided by the CDC suggest that C. difficile infections cause nearly 500,000 infections in patients in the U.S. annually. In one study noted by the CDC, among infected patients, nearly 29,000 died within 30 days of being diagnosed, and more than half of those deaths (15,000) were directly attributable to a C. difficile infection.

About The C Diff Foundation:

C Diff Foundation, a 501(c)(3) established 2012, comprised of 100% volunteering professionals dedicated at supporting public health through education and advocating for Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) prevention, treatments, clinical trials, and environmental safety worldwide. Listen to "C.diff. Spores and More" Tuesdays at 1 p.m. ET (www.cdiffradio.com), sponsored by Rebiotix, a Ferring Pharmaceuticals company, providing leading up-to-date information on topics that are aligned and connect with their organization's mission and more.

Learn more: https://cdifffoundation.org/

Follow C Diff Foundation on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. Twitter @cdiffFoundation #Cdiff2019

Media Contact:
Angelo Ortiz
C Diff Foundation
angelo.ortiz@cdifffoundation.org
Office: (727) 205-3922

The C Diff Foundation is honored to welcome 30+ international leading topic experts from hospitals, pharma, biotech, academia, and Government agencies to deliver and discuss critical information on global healthcare-associated issues.

Related link: https://cdifffoundation.org/