02/10/2020 combacte-cdi News Item

COMBACTE-CDI Project Extended

The COMBACTE-CDI (Clostridioides difficile infections) project has been extended by an additional six months. The extension is due to the COVID-19 pandemic which has impacted the research activities of the project. Such an extension is critical to maximize outputs from the study, especially at a time when the global crisis has shown the importance of investing in the prevention and management of infectious diseases.

Although the tasks and objectives of WP1 and WP2 are nearing completion, minimal laboratory analysis is still to be completed (strain MICs) and the transmission modelling also needs to be integrated with the health economic analysis.

For WP3, the extension will provide more time to establish a pan-European CDI research network which is integrated within ECRAID (European Clinical Research Alliance on Infectious Diseases) ensuring sustainability beyond the current funding period.

The results of WP1 and WP2 activities still need to be compiled and published. The extension of the project by 6 months will provide sufficient time for our researchers to publish our interesting results in peer reviewed journals, maximize the impact of the data generated and ensure European-wide dissemination of knowledge and expertise on CDI.

Dr. Kerrie Davies (Leeds University), Scientific Lead for COMBACTE-CDI: “We are now starting to look forward, as a consortium, to the future of our network and how we can support other research projects in CDI. COMBACTE-CDI is a relatively small project within COMBACTE, but the consortium has achieved so much in such a short space of time; a testament to the power of working within networks and making the most of each other’s strengths. ”

In May 2020, COMBACTE-CDI launched its first infographic containing important results from the project.

The COMBACTE-CDI results highlight key differences between community and hospital CDI across Europe in terms of diagnosis, risks and outcomes; important factors to understand if we are to try and improve patient care.

Open infographic

About COMBACTE-CDI

COMBACTE-CDI's primary goal is to develop a detailed understanding of the epidemiology and clinical impact of Clostridioides difficile infection across Europe. The ultimate goal is to contribute to improved prevention and treatment options for such infections that are responsible for extensive morbidity, mortality and health care costs.