Healthcare associated infections can be a consequence of a microbiome alteration. Increasingly, treatment and prevention strategies focus on manipulating host microbiota, the two most common examples being (1) suppression of certain skin and mucosal microbiota, and (2) preservation or restoration of intestinal microbial communities.

After this presentation, participants should be able to:  

(a) discuss the evidence in support of chlorhexidine application to the skin and oropharynx of hospitalized patients to prevent infection
(b) implement interventions to reduce the likelihood of Clostridium difficile recurrence after host exposure to antimicrobial agents.