In Vitro Investigation of Auranofin as a Treatment for Clostridium difficile Infection

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile infection is the leading cause of hospital-acquired gastrointestinal infection and incidence rates continue to rise. Clostridium difficile infection is becoming increasingly complex to treat owing to the rise in treatment failures and recurrent infections. There is a clear need for new therapeutic options for the management of this disease. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess auranofin, a drug approved for the treatment of arthritis, as a treatment for C. difficile infection. Previous investigations have demonstrated potential antimicrobial activity of auranofin against C. difficile and other organisms. METHODS: The activity of auranofin was assessed by in..