# P-1016. Real World Utilization of Live-brpk (VOWST) among Patients with Recurrent Clostridioides difficile Infection: Single Center Experience

## TL;DR

A study at Emory University found that live-brpk therapy effectively prevented recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection in high-risk patients, including those with immunocompromise.

## Contribution

This is one of the first real-world reports on live-brpk outcomes in a diverse, high-risk patient population outside clinical trials.

## Key findings

- No patients had CDI recurrence within eight weeks after live-brpk treatment.
- Over 70% of patients with high lifetime CDI recurrence did not experience a relapse six months post-treatment.
- Immunocompromised patients had similar recurrence rates and no treatment-related side effects requiring medical care.

## Abstract

Recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (rCDI) is facilitated by the depletion of key bacterial taxa in the gut microbiome. Live-brpk is an oral therapy of encapsulated Firmicutes spores administered following antibiotics for Clostridioides difficile to prevent rCDI. Since live-brpk was FDA approved in 2023, there are few reports of the outcomes of this therapy outside of clinical trials, which excluded several high-risk groups, including immunocompromised patients.

We evaluated outcomes in adults referred for rCDI to the Infectious Diseases Clinic at Emory University. Patients were given a choice between live-brpk, live-jslm, and while available, fecal microbiota transplantation and bezlotoxumab. Patient demographic and clinical information was obtained through interview and chart review. Renal disease was defined as chronic kidney disease Stage 3b or higher. Immunocompromise was defined by use of immunosuppressants, typically for organ transplant or rheumatologic conditions. rCDI following live-brpk was defined as a positive Clostridioides difficile PCR/EIA which was treated with antibiotics.

Twenty-two individuals received live-brpk for the treatment of recurrent CDI; 55% were female with a median age of 69 years (range 22-89). 60% of patients had renal disease, 36% of patients were immunocompromised, including four patients with a history of solid organ transplantation, and one with recent stem cell transplantation. 45% of patients had greater than five lifetime episodes of CDI. No patients had recurrence of CDI within eight weeks after receiving live-brpk. Five patients recurred within six months, one of these patients was immunocompromised. Three patients received a second dose of live-brpk and remained free from recurrence for at least eight weeks. No patients reported side effects for which they required medical care.

Among patients with high lifetime incidence of rCDI, following live-brpk >70% of patients did not have CDI recurrence six months after therapy. Patients with immunocompromise were treated safely in this cohort and had a similar recurrence rate as non-immunocompromised patients.

Colleen S. Kraft, MD, MSc, Rebiotix Ferring: Advisor/Consultant|Vedanta: Advisor/Consultant