WebMD Medical News Laura J. Martin, MD Oct. 21, 2011 -- A new
vaccine shows promise for preventing infection with the
potentially dangerous diarrhea bug Clostridium difficile, or C.
diff. In two industry-funded studies of nearly 100 healthy
people, the vaccine also proved safe. No serious side effects
were associated with its use. The vaccine targets two toxins, A
and B, produced by C. diff that attack the lining of the gut and
cause diarrhea, cramping, and other symptoms. Each year, C. diff
strikes about 500,000 Americans, mostly in hospitals and nursing
homes. The new vaccine, being developed by Sanofi-aventis, is
one of several vaccines in early testing. Ginamarie Foglia, DO,
MPH, clinical director at Sanofi-aventis, presented the findings
today at the annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society
of America in Boston. There's a huge need for a vaccine to
prevent the disease, Foglia tells WebMD. Althoughdiarrhea is its
hallmark symptom, C. diff infection can lead to colitis,
perforated colon, and even