Improving Control of One of Canada's Most Common Healthcare-acquired Infections
TORONTO, July 5, 2012 /CNW/ -
| WHAT: | Optimer Pharmaceuticals Canada, Inc., today announced the launch of DIFICID™, an important advancement in the treatment of CDI in Canada. Dr. Christine Lee, MD, FRCP(C), who was one of the site-leads for both international clinical trials comparing the efficacy of fidaxomicin against vancomycin, the results of which were published in The New England Journal of Medicine and The Lancet Infectious Diseases, will be available to discuss the prevalence and impact of these infections in Canada. Also speaking will be two members of the community who experienced CDI first-hand. | ||
| WHERE: | Intercontinental Toronto Centre, 225 Front St. W Toronto | ||
| WHEN: | Thursday July 5 2012 at 1:30 PM, EST | ||
| WHO: | Dr. Christine Lee, MD, FRCP(C), Associate Professor of Pathology and Molecular Medicine and Program Director of Microbiology Residency at McMaster University; | ||
| Ian Knowles, whose father succumbed to a CDI and passed away three years ago; and | |||
| Sylvia Bentley, who experienced a CDI in January of 2012 | |||
| ATTENTION: | On-camera interviews with participants will be available. |
About CDI in Canada
CDI is one of the leading causes of hospital-acquired infections, and mortality has been reported to be as high as 17% during outbreaks in Canada. C. difficile is a virulent, toxin- and spore-producing pathogen. Infection from this pathogen is a serious and life-threatening condition which can result in severe and debilitating diarrhea, removal of the colon and, in the most serious cases, death. CDI predominantly affects hospital inpatients, and has been associated with numerous outbreaks across the country. The risk of CDI increases with age, an impaired immune system, co-morbid disease and previous exposure to antibiotics, which disrupt the patient's normal gut flora.
CDI represents a major challenge to the Canadian healthcare system. The detriment of this disease impacts the lives of the patients and the families of those who suffer from this virulent pathogen. In Canada, the infection has been associated with a median increase in length of stay in the hospital of 6 days. The spore form of pathogen is resistant to gastric acid, antibacterial soaps and alcohol based hand sanitizers, and can survive for months on surfaces. While not as well characterized, CDI is thought to be an increasing burden in long-term care facilities and the community setting as well.
References Available on Request
Video with caption: "Video: Important advance in the treatment of Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) in Canada". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20120705_C6366_VIDEO_EN_15983.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20120705_C6366_PHOTO_EN_15983.jpg&clientName=Optimer%20Pharmaceuticals%20Canada%2C%20Inc%2E&caption=Video%3A%20Important%20advance%20in%20the%20treatment%20of%20Clostridium%20difficile%0D%0Ainfections%20%28CDI%29%20in%20Canada&title=OPTIMER%20PHARMACEUTICALS%20CANADA%2C%20INC%2E%20%2D%20Media%20Advisory%20&headline=Media%20Advisory%20%2D%20Infectious%20Diseases%20Specialist%20to%20Discuss%20Advancement%20in%20the%20Treatment%20of%20Clostridium%20difficile%20Infections%20%28CDI%29%20in%20Canada
CONTACT:
Lauren Joakim
647-218-1085
[email protected]
Gwen McGuire
416-948-6500
[email protected]
Share this article