The exact reason for the association between acid suppression and CDI has not been clearly elucidated. Gastric acid does not kill C. difficile spores, but it does kill the vegetative form of C. difficile, the survival of which with acid-suppression therapy could play a role in pathogenesis. Acid-suppression therapy has also been shown to delay gastric emptying, which could improve survival of the vegetative form, he explained.
Dr. Tleyjeh stated that he had no relevant financial disclosures.