1
|
Watkin S, Yongblah F, Burton J, Hartley JC, Cloutman-Green E. Clostridioides difficile detection and infection in children: are they just small adults? J Med Microbiol 2024; 73. [PMID: 38526913 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile is a well-recognized healthcare-associated pathogen, with its significance widely recognized in adult populations. Despite this, there is limited data on the significance of detection within paediatric populations, both for individual patient management and wider transmission risk-based considerations. High rates of colonization are understood to occur in infants, with increasing levels up to 11 months, and colonization rates similar to adults by 8 years old. Sources of C. difficile are ubiquitous, with detection in companion animals and food sources, as well as within the clinical and wider environment. Due to the close interactions that occur between children and the environment, it is understandable that increasing recognition is afforded to the community acquisition of C. difficile in children. Other risk factors for the detection of C. difficile in children are similar to those observed in adults, including prior hospitalization and underlying conditions affecting gut health and motility. Recent studies have shown rising awareness of the role of asymptomatic carriage of C. difficile in healthcare transmission. Prior to this, paediatric patient populations were less likely to be screened due to uncertainty regarding the significance of detection; however, this increased awareness has led to a review of possible carriage testing pathways. Despite this increased attention, C. difficile infection remains poorly defined in paediatric populations, with limited dedicated paediatric data sets making comparison challenging. This is further complicated by the fact that infection in children frequently self resolves without additional therapies. Due to this, C. difficile remains a management challenge in paediatric settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sam Watkin
- Department of Civil Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, Healthy Infrastructure Research Group, University College London, Chadwick Building, London, UK
| | - Francis Yongblah
- Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Camelia Botnar Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, London, UK
| | - James Burton
- Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Camelia Botnar Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, London, UK
| | - John C Hartley
- Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Camelia Botnar Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, London, UK
| | - Elaine Cloutman-Green
- Department of Civil Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, Healthy Infrastructure Research Group, University College London, Chadwick Building, London, UK
- Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Camelia Botnar Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Barbero AM, Hernández Del Pino RE, Fuentes F, Barrionuevo P, Pasquinelli V. Platelets promote human macrophages-mediated macropinocytosis of Clostridioides difficile. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 13:1252509. [PMID: 38249298 PMCID: PMC10796631 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1252509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile is the main causative agent of hospital-acquired diarrhea and the potentially lethal disease, C. difficile infection. The cornerstone of the current therapy is the use of antibiotics, which is not fully effective. The molecular mechanisms, inflammatory conditions and host-immune responses that could benefit the persistence or elimination of C. difficile remain unclear. Macrophages perform different ways of endocytosis as part of their immune surveillance functions and platelets, classically known for their coagulatory role, are also important modulators of the immune system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the endocytosis of vegetative C. difficile by human macrophages and the involvement of platelets in this process. Our results showed that both macrophages and platelets interact with live and heat-killed C. difficile. Furthermore, platelets form complexes with human monocytes in healthy donor's fresh blood and the presence of C. difficile increased these cell-cell interactions. Using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, we show that macrophages can internalize C. difficile and that platelets improve this uptake. By using inhibitors of different endocytic pathways, we demonstrate that macropinocytosis is the route of entry of C. difficile into the cell. Taken together, our findings are the first evidence for the internalization of vegetative non-toxigenic and hypervirulent C. difficile by human macrophages and highlight the role of platelets in innate immunity during C. difficile infection. Deciphering the crosstalk of C. difficile with immune cells could provide new tools for understanding the pathogenesis of C. difficile infection and for the development of host-directed therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela María Barbero
- Centro de Investigaciones Básicas y Aplicadas (CIBA), Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNNOBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencias del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIT NOBA), UNNOBA-Universidad Nacional de San Antonio de Areco (UNSAdA)- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rodrigo Emanuel Hernández Del Pino
- Centro de Investigaciones Básicas y Aplicadas (CIBA), Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNNOBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencias del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIT NOBA), UNNOBA-Universidad Nacional de San Antonio de Areco (UNSAdA)- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Federico Fuentes
- Instituto de Medicina Experimental (CONICET-Academia Nacional de Medicina), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paula Barrionuevo
- Instituto de Medicina Experimental (CONICET-Academia Nacional de Medicina), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Virginia Pasquinelli
- Centro de Investigaciones Básicas y Aplicadas (CIBA), Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNNOBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencias del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIT NOBA), UNNOBA-Universidad Nacional de San Antonio de Areco (UNSAdA)- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Braga DS, Oliveira DF, Lourenço NV, Carvalho GM, Rezende VMLR, Lourenço TV, Silva ROS, Kuijper EJ, Vilela EG. Incidence of healthcare-associated Clostridioides difficile infection in a quaternary referral university hospital in Brazil. Anaerobe 2023; 79:102672. [PMID: 36471553 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2022.102672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is an important cause of diarrhea in hospitals worldwide. The incidence of CDI in Latin America has not yet been standardized. To fill this gap, the present study performed a daily active surveillance, for three months, between April to July of 2021, at a quaternary referral university hospital in Brazil. The incidence density was 9.2 cases per 10,000 patient-days. Cases were associated mostly with ribotypes 014 and 106 (44% and 22%, respectively). Ribotype 027 was not identified. The findings strongly reinforce the need for broad epidemiological studies on the incidence of CDI in Brazilian hospitals to increase the understanding, prevention, and treatment of this infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela S Braga
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil; Instituto Alfa de Gastroenterologia, Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Daniela F Oliveira
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil; Instituto Alfa de Gastroenterologia, Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Natane V Lourenço
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil; Instituto Alfa de Gastroenterologia, Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Gabriela M Carvalho
- Veterinary School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Antônio Carlos Avenue, 6627. Belo Horizonte, MG, 31.270-901, Brazil
| | - Vitória M L R Rezende
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil; Instituto Alfa de Gastroenterologia, Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Tainá V Lourenço
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil; Instituto Alfa de Gastroenterologia, Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo O S Silva
- Veterinary School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Antônio Carlos Avenue, 6627. Belo Horizonte, MG, 31.270-901, Brazil.
| | - Ed J Kuijper
- Expertise Center for Clostridioides difficile infections, at Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Eduardo G Vilela
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil; Instituto Alfa de Gastroenterologia, Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Crivaro AN, Carasi P, Salto I, Hugo A, Soldavini Pelichotti PC, Bengoa A, Fragomeno M, Serradell MA, Minnaard J, Rolny I, Alul E, Arregui L, Fabra Martinez ME, Moreno Valero OJ, Facente A, Magariños F, Jewtuchowicz V, Pérez PF, Trejo FM. Clostridioides difficile: Characterization of the circulating toxinotypes in an Argentinean public hospital. Rev Argent Microbiol 2023; 55:73-82. [PMID: 35840437 DOI: 10.1016/j.ram.2022.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile is a spore-forming anaerobe microorganism associated to nosocomial diarrhea. Its virulence is mainly associated with TcdA and TcdB toxins, encoded by their respective tcdA and tcdB genes. These genes are part of the pathogenicity locus (PaLoc). Our aim was to characterize relevant C. difficile toxinotypes circulating in the hospital setting. The tcdA and tcdB genes were amplified and digested with different restriction enzymes: EcoRI for tcdA; HincII and AccI for tcdB. In addition, the presence of the cdtB (binary toxin) gene, TcdA and TcdB toxins by dot blot and the cytotoxic effect of culture supernatants on Vero cells, were evaluated. Altogether, these studies revealed three different circulating toxinotypes according to Rupnik's classification: 0, I and VIII, being the latter the most prevalent one. Even though more studies are certainly necessary (e.g. sequencing analysis), it is worth noting that the occurrence of toxinotype I could be related to the introduction of bacteria from different geographical origins. The multivariate analysis conducted on the laboratory values of individuals infected with the most prevalent toxinotype (VIII) showed that the isolates associated with fatal outcomes (GCD13, GCD14 and GCD22) are located in regions of the biplots related to altered laboratory values at admission. In other patients, although laboratory values at admission were not correlated, levels of urea, creatinine and white blood cells were positively correlated after the infection was diagnosed. Our study reveals the circulation of different toxinotypes of C. difficile strains in this public hospital. The variety of toxinotypes can arise from pre-existing microorganisms as well as through the introduction of bacteria from other geographical regions. The existence of microorganisms with different pathogenic potential is relevant for the control, follow-up, and treatment of the infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea N Crivaro
- Cátedra de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 47 y 115, B1900AJI La Plata, Argentina; IIFP, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Paula Carasi
- IIFP, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Ileana Salto
- Cátedra de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 47 y 115, B1900AJI La Plata, Argentina; IBBM (Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular), CCT-CONICET-La Plata, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calles 47 y 115 (1900), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Ayelen Hugo
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos, CCT La Plata, CONICET-UNLP-CIC PBA, 47 y 116 (s/n), La Plata 1900, Argentina
| | - P Cecilia Soldavini Pelichotti
- Cátedra de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 47 y 115, B1900AJI La Plata, Argentina; Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos, CCT La Plata, CONICET-UNLP-CIC PBA, 47 y 116 (s/n), La Plata 1900, Argentina
| | - Agustina Bengoa
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos, CCT La Plata, CONICET-UNLP-CIC PBA, 47 y 116 (s/n), La Plata 1900, Argentina
| | - Melisa Fragomeno
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos, CCT La Plata, CONICET-UNLP-CIC PBA, 47 y 116 (s/n), La Plata 1900, Argentina
| | - María A Serradell
- Cátedra de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 47 y 115, B1900AJI La Plata, Argentina
| | - Jessica Minnaard
- Cátedra de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 47 y 115, B1900AJI La Plata, Argentina; Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos, CCT La Plata, CONICET-UNLP-CIC PBA, 47 y 116 (s/n), La Plata 1900, Argentina
| | - Ivanna Rolny
- Cátedra de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 47 y 115, B1900AJI La Plata, Argentina; IIFP, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Eduardo Alul
- Luisa G de Gandulfo Hospital, Lomas de Zamora, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Leandro Arregui
- Luisa G de Gandulfo Hospital, Lomas de Zamora, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | | | - Andrea Facente
- Luisa G de Gandulfo Hospital, Lomas de Zamora, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | | | - Pablo F Pérez
- Cátedra de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 47 y 115, B1900AJI La Plata, Argentina; Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos, CCT La Plata, CONICET-UNLP-CIC PBA, 47 y 116 (s/n), La Plata 1900, Argentina.
| | - Fernando M Trejo
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos, CCT La Plata, CONICET-UNLP-CIC PBA, 47 y 116 (s/n), La Plata 1900, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Acuña-Amador L, Quesada-Gómez C, Rodríguez C. Clostridioides difficile in Latin America: A comprehensive review of literature (1984-2021). Anaerobe 2022; 74:102547. [PMID: 35337973 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2022.102547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
This narrative review summarizes literature on C. difficile and C. difficile infections (CDI) that emerged from Latin America (LA) between 1984 and 2021. The revised information includes papers in English, Spanish, or Portuguese that were retrieved from the databases Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scielo, and Lilacs. Information is presented chronologically and segregated in subregions, focusing on clinical presentation, risk factors, detection and typing methods, prevalence and incidence rates, circulating strains, and, when available, phenotypic traits, such as antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. Studies dealing with cases, clinical aspects of CDI, and performance evaluations of diagnostic methods predominated. However, they showed substantial differences in case definitions, measuring units, populations, and experimental designs. Although a handful of autochthonous strains were identified, predominantly in Brazil and Costa Rica, the presentation and epidemiology of CDI in LA were highly comparable to what has been reported in other regions of the world. Few laboratories isolate and type this bacterium and even less generate whole genome sequences or perform basic science on C. difficile. Less than ten countries lead academic productivity on C. difficile or CDI-related topics, and information from various countries in Central America and the Caribbean is still lacking. The review ends with a global interpretation of the data and recommendations to further develop and consolidate this discipline in LA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luis Acuña-Amador
- Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica; Laboratorio de Investigación en Bacteriología Anaerobia (LIBA), Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica; Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET), Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica.
| | - Carlos Quesada-Gómez
- Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica; Laboratorio de Investigación en Bacteriología Anaerobia (LIBA), Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica; Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET), Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica.
| | - César Rodríguez
- Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica; Laboratorio de Investigación en Bacteriología Anaerobia (LIBA), Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica; Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET), Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Fecal concentration of intravenous vancomycin preparation after oral administration in an experimental model: preclinical assay. REVISTA DE GASTROENTEROLOGÍA DE MÉXICO 2022; 88:85-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rgmxen.2022.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
7
|
Perumalsamy S, Riley TV. Molecular Epidemiology of Clostridioides difficile Infections in Children. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc 2021; 10:S34-S40. [PMID: 34791401 DOI: 10.1093/jpids/piab057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile is a prominent cause of health care-related gastrointestinal illness in adults. C. difficile infection (CDI) has been researched for over 40 years; however, research on pediatric CDI specifically has lagged behind for various reasons. Over the past decade, C. difficile has been increasingly reported as a cause of a broad spectrum of gastrointestinal diseases in children, ranging from mild self-limiting diarrhea to severe conditions such as pseudomembranous colitis and toxic megacolon. Recent publications have shown a rise in CDI incidence in children in different parts of the world, especially in patients with particular comorbidities such as hematological malignancies and inflammatory bowel disease. In addition, rising CDI rates have been reported in children in the community without traditional risk factors for CDI. Due to the extensive use of sensitive molecular detection methods to diagnose CDI in many countries, differentiating children who require treatment from those colonized with toxigenic strains remains a problem. Consequently, the molecular epidemiology of pediatric CDI is poorly understood. Even though well-known C. difficile strains causing CDI in children have been described (including hypervirulent strains such as ribotypes 027 and 078), there is a paucity of information about specific C. difficile strains. This mini-review summarizes the information that is currently available on the molecular epidemiology of CDI in children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sicilia Perumalsamy
- The University of Western Australia, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Thomas V Riley
- The University of Western Australia, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia.,School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.,PathWest Laboratory Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia.,School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Cançado GGL, Abreu ESD, Nardelli MJ, Serwa P, Brachmann M. A cost of illness comparison for toxigenic Clostridioides difficile diagnosis algorithms in developing countries. Anaerobe 2021; 70:102390. [PMID: 34058377 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2021.102390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Availability of several commercial tests with different Clostridioides difficile targets contributes to uncertainty and controversies around the optimal diagnostic algorithm. While numerous studies have estimated the financial impact of C. difficile infection, models to guide testing strategies decisions in developing countries, where economic value significantly impacts clinical practice, are currently not available. AIM To determine the cost of illness of different C. difficile infection (CDI) diagnostic strategies in developing countries. METHODS Cost-comparison analysis was performed to compare eleven different algorithms of CDI diagnosis. The basis of calculation was a hypothetical cohort of 1000 adult inpatients suspected of CDI. We analyzed turnaround time of test results (i.e., time from taking sample to results emission), test performance (i.e., sensitivity and specificity) and testing costs. Patients were divided in true positive, false positive, true negative and false negative in order to integrate test performance and economics effects. Additional medical costs were calculated: costs of hygiene, medication, length of stay and intensive care unit costs, based on a Brazilian University Hospital costs. CDI prevalence was considered 22.64%. FINDINGS From laboratory-assisted tests, simultaneous glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and toxin A/B rapid immunoassay arbitrated by nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) presented the lowest cost of illness (450,038.70 USD), whereas standalone NAAT had the highest (523,709.55 USD). Empirical diagnosis only presented the highest overall cost (809,605.44 USD). CONCLUSION The two-step algorithm with simultaneous GDH and toxin A/B rapid immunoassay arbitrated by NAAT seems to be the best strategy for CDI diagnosis in developing countries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Grossi Lopes Cançado
- Hospital Das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Hospital da Polícia Militar de Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Tijerina-Rodríguez L, Garza-González E, Martínez-Meléndez A, Morfín-Otero R, Camacho-Ortiz A, Gonzalez-Diaz E, Perez-Gomez HR, Villarreal-Treviño L, Maldonado-Garza H, Esparza- Ahumada S, Rodríguez-Noriega E. Clinical characteristics associated with the severity of Clostridium [Clostridioides] difficile infection in a tertiary teaching hospital from Mexico. Biomed J 2021; 45:200-205. [PMID: 35430177 PMCID: PMC9133295 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2021.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a leading cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea worldwide. In this study, risk factors associated with the development of severe-complicated and recurrent outcomes in CDI patients in different age groups, including the non-elderly, were assessed in a third-level hospital. Methods CDI cases were detected by clinical data and polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR). Clinical, demographic, epidemiological, and microbiological risk factors for CDI were evaluated. Results During the study period, 248 out of 805 patients with nosocomial diarrhea were diagnosed with CDI and the majority were severe-complicated cases (87.90%). Female gender (OR 3.19, 95% CI 1.19–8.55, p = 0.02) and lymphoma (OR 3.95, 95% CI 1.03–15.13, p = 0.04) were risk factors for severe-complicated CDI. Mature adulthood (51–60 years) (OR 5.80, 95% CI 1.56–21.62, p = 0.01), previous rifampicin use (OR 7.44, 95% CI 2.10–26.44, p = 0.00), and neoplasm (solid malignant neoplasm or hematological malignancies) (OR 4.12, 95% CI 1.01–16.83, p = 0.04) were risk factors for recurrent infection. Autoimmune disorders (OR 6.62, CI 95% 1.26–34.73, p = 0.02), leukemia (OR 4.97, 95% CI 1.05–23.58, p = 0.04), lymphoma (OR 3.79, 95% CI 1.03–12.07, p = 0.04) and previous colistin treatment (OR 4.97, 95% CI 1.05–23.58, p = 0.04) were risk factors for 30-day mortality. Conclusion Newly identified risk factors for recurrent CDI were rifampicin treatment and age between 51 and 60 years; colistin treatment was identified as a risk factor for 30-day mortality. Previously identified risk factors for severe-complicated CDI were confirmed, but with a major impact on non-elderly patients.
Collapse
|
10
|
London JA, Wang ECS, Barsukov IL, Yates EA, Stachulski AV. Synthesis and toxicity profile in 293 human embryonic kidney cells of the β D-glucuronide derivatives of ortho-, meta- and para-cresol. Carbohydr Res 2020; 499:108225. [PMID: 33353664 DOI: 10.1016/j.carres.2020.108225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The formation of β-glucuronides is a major route by which mammals detoxify and remove breakdown products, such as l-tyrosine, as well as many xenobiotics, from their systems. In humans, dietary l-tyrosine is broken down largely by the action of the anaerobic gut bacterium C. difficile to p-cresol, providing a competitive advantage in the gut microbiota. Ortho- (o-) and meta- (m-), cresols, also present in the environment, may share a common degradative pathway. Relatively little work has been done on cresyl glucuronides. Here, a direct synthesis of o-, m-, and p-cresyl β-D-glucuronides from methyl 1,2,3,4 tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucuronate and the respective cresol employing trimethylsilyltriflate as promoter is presented. The protected intermediates were hydrolysed using aqueous sodium carbonate to yield the cresyl β-glucuronides. The toxicities of the o-, m- and p-cresyl β-D-glucuronides were compared. All three were less toxic to HEK293 cells than their respective cresol precursors: toxicity followed the order o < m < p for Na+ salts and o < p < m for Ca2+ salts. The m-cresyl-glucuronide Ca2+ salt and p-cresyl-glucuronide Na+ salt reduced colony formation by 11% and 9% (v. 30% reduction from the aglycone) respectively, whereas o-cresyl-glucuronide (both Na+ and Ca2+ salts), mildly stimulated HEK293 cell growth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James A London
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Crown Street, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, United Kingdom
| | - Emily C S Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Crown Street, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, United Kingdom
| | - Igor L Barsukov
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Crown Street, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, United Kingdom
| | - Edwin A Yates
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Crown Street, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew V Stachulski
- Robert Robinson Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, Crown Street, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZD, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Yu H, Flaster N, Casanello AL, Curcio D. Assessing risk factors, mortality, and healthcare utilization associated with Clostridioides difficile infection in four Latin American countries. Braz J Infect Dis 2020; 25:101040. [PMID: 33290727 PMCID: PMC9392087 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjid.2020.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is the most common cause of healthcare-associated infections in Western countries. Risk factors, mortality, and healthcare utilization for CDI in Latin America are poorly understood. This study assessed risk factors and burden associated with nosocomial CDI in four Latin American countries. Methods This retrospective, case-control study used databases and medical records from 8 hospitals in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico to identify nosocomial CDI cases from 2014 − 2017. Cases were patients aged ≥18 years with diarrhea and a positive CDI test ≥72 h after hospital admission. Two controls (without diarrhea; length of hospital stay [LOS] ≥3 days; admitted ±14 days from case patient; shared same ward) were matched to each case. CDI-associated risk factors were assessed by univariate and multivariable analyses. CDI burden (LOS, in-hospital mortality) was compared between cases and controls. Results The study included 481 cases and 962 controls. Mean age and sex were similar between cases and controls, but mean Charlson comorbidity index (4.3 vs 3.6; p < 0.001) and recent hospital admission (35.3% vs 18.8%; p < 0.001) were higher among cases. By multivariable analyses, CDI risk was associated with prior hospital admission within 3 months (odds ratio [OR], 2.08; 95% CI: 1.45, 2.97), recent antibiotic use (ie, carbapenem; OR, 2.85; 95% CI: 1.75, 4.64), acid suppressive therapy use (OR, 1.71; 95% CI: 1.14, 2.58), and medical conditions (ie, renal disease; OR, 1.48; 95% CI: 1.19, 1.85). In-hospital mortality rate (18.7% vs 6.9%; p < 0.001) and mean overall LOS (33.5 vs 18.8 days; p < 0.001) were higher and longer, respectively, in cases versus controls. Conclusion Antibiotic exposure, preexisting medical conditions, and recent hospital admission were major risk factors for CDI in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico. CDI was associated with increased in-hospital risk of death and longer LOS. These findings are consistent with published literature in Western countries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Holly Yu
- Pfizer Inc, Collegeville, PA, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Girão ES, de Melo Tavares B, Alves dos Santos S, Gamarra GL, Rizek C, Martins RC, Perdigão Neto LV, Diogo C, Annibale Orsi TD, Sanchez Espinoza EP, Paz Morales HM, da Silva Nogueira K, Maestri AC, Boszczowski I, Piastrelli F, Costa CL, Costa DV, Maciel G, Romão J, Guimarães T, Anne de Castro Brito G, Costa SF. Prevalence of Clostridioides difficile associated diarrhea in hospitalized patients in five Brazilian centers: A multicenter, prospective study. Anaerobe 2020; 66:102267. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2020.102267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
|
13
|
Doll M, Marra AR, Apisarnthanarak A, Al-Maani AS, Abbas S, Rosenthal VD. Prevention of Clostridioides difficile in hospitals: A position paper of the International Society for Infectious Diseases. Int J Infect Dis 2020; 102:188-195. [PMID: 33122100 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.10.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile infection is an increasing presence worldwide. Prevention is multipronged, reflecting a complex and evolving epidemiology. Multiple guidelines exist regarding the prevention of C. difficile infection in healthcare settings; however, existing guidelines do not address C. difficile in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Nevertheless, the prevalence of C. difficile in LMIC likely parallels, if not exceeds, that of high-income countries, and LMIC may experience additional challenges in C. difficile diagnosis and control. A panel of experts was convened by the International Society for Infectious Diseases (ISID) to review the current state of C. difficile infections globally and make evidence-based recommendations for infection prevention that are broadly applicable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Doll
- Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Alexandre R Marra
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA; Division of Medical Practice, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Anucha Apisarnthanarak
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Amal Saif Al-Maani
- Department of Infection Control and Prevention, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Oman
| | - Salma Abbas
- Department of Internal Medicine, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Victor D Rosenthal
- International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Vega L, Herrera G, Muñoz M, Patarroyo MA, Ramírez JD. Occurrence of Blastocystis in Patients with Clostridioides difficile Infection. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9040283. [PMID: 32295242 PMCID: PMC7238161 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9040283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridiodes difficile comprises a public-health threat that has been understudied in Colombia. Hypervirulent strains of C. difficile harbor multiple toxins, can be easily spread, and can have their onset of disease within healthcare facilities (HCFO) and the community (CO). Studies have shown that a disrupted microbiota (e.g., dysbiosis) may allow C. difficile infection (CDI). It has been suggested that dysbiosis prevents colonization by the anaerobic eukaryote Blastocystis, possibly due to an increase in luminal oxygen tension. No study has found co-occurrence of CDI and Blastocystis. Therefore, we aimed to determine the frequencies of C. difficile and Blastocystis infection/colonization in 220 diarrheal fecal samples. Molecular detection by PCR for both microorganisms was performed, with descriptive analyses of four variables (CDI detection, determination of C. difficile toxigenic profiles, Blastocystis detection, and patient site of onset). We demonstrate a significant association between the presence of Blastocystis and CDI, with coinfection found in 61 patients, and show a high frequency of CDI among both HCFO and CO groups. Our results of coinfection frequencies could support hypotheses that suggest Blastocystis can adapt to dysbiosis and oxidative stress. Further, the presence of toxigenic C. difficile occurring outside healthcare facilities shown here raises the alarm for community wide spread.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Vega
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas de la Universidad del Rosario (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 110221, Colombia; (L.V.); (G.H.); (M.M.)
| | - Giovanny Herrera
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas de la Universidad del Rosario (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 110221, Colombia; (L.V.); (G.H.); (M.M.)
| | - Marina Muñoz
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas de la Universidad del Rosario (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 110221, Colombia; (L.V.); (G.H.); (M.M.)
| | - Manuel Alfonso Patarroyo
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá 110221, Colombia;
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 110221, Colombia
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas de la Universidad del Rosario (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 110221, Colombia; (L.V.); (G.H.); (M.M.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Nana T, Moore C, Boyles T, Brink AJ, Cleghorn J, Devenish LM, du Toit B, Fredericks ES, Lekalakala-Mokaba MR, Maluleka C, Rajabally MN, Reubenson G, Shuping L, Swart K, Swe Han KS, Wadula J, Wojno J, Lowman W. South African Society of Clinical Microbiology Clostridioides difficile infection diagnosis, management and infection prevention and control guideline. S Afr J Infect Dis 2020; 35:219. [PMID: 34485483 PMCID: PMC8378053 DOI: 10.4102/sajid.v35i1.219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a problem in both developed and developing countries and is a common hospital-acquired infection. This guideline provides evidence-based practical recommendations for South Africa and other developing countries. The scope of the guideline includes CDI diagnostic approaches; adult, paediatric and special populations treatment options; and surveillance and infection prevention and control recommendations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Trusha Nana
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital Microbiology Laboratory, National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Tom Boyles
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian J. Brink
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Joy Cleghorn
- Life Healthcare Group, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Lesley M. Devenish
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Infection Control Services Laboratory, National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Ernst S. Fredericks
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Molebogeng R. Lekalakala-Mokaba
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
- Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital Microbiology Laboratory, National Health Laboratory Services, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Caroline Maluleka
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
- Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital Microbiology Laboratory, National Health Laboratory Services, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | - Gary Reubenson
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Liliwe Shuping
- Centre for Healthcare-Associated Infections, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, a division of National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Karin Swart
- Netcare Hospitals Limited, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Khine Swe Swe Han
- Medical Microbiology Department, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital Academic Complex, National Health Laboratory Services, Durban, South Africa
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Jeannette Wadula
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital Microbiology Laboratory, National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Warren Lowman
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, PathCare/Vermaak Pathologists, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Prevention and Control, WITS Donald Gordon Medical Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Virulence Factors of Clostridioides ( Clostridium) difficile Linked to Recurrent Infections. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES & MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY 2019; 2019:7127850. [PMID: 31933709 PMCID: PMC6942709 DOI: 10.1155/2019/7127850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
From 20 to 30% of Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile infection (CDI), patients might develop recurrence of the infection (RCDI) and, after the first recurrence, the risk of further episodes increases up to 60%. Several bacterial virulence factors have been associated with RCDI, including the elevated production of toxins A and B, the presence of a binary toxin CDT, and mutations in the negative regulator of toxin expression, tcdC. Additional factors have shown to regulate toxin production and virulence in C. difficile in RCDI, including the accessory-gene regulator agr, which acts as a positive switch for toxin transcription. Furthermore, adhesion and motility-associated factors, such as Cwp84, SlpA, and flagella, have shown to increase the adhesion efficiency to host epithelia, cell internalization, and the formation of biofilm. Finally, biofilm confers to C. difficile protection from antibiotics and acts as a reservoir for spores that allow the persistence of the infection in the host. In this review, we describe the key virulence factors of C. difficile that have been associated with recurrent infections.
Collapse
|
17
|
Clostridioides (Clostridium) Difficile in Food-Producing Animals, Horses and Household Pets: A Comprehensive Review. Microorganisms 2019; 7:microorganisms7120667. [PMID: 31835413 PMCID: PMC6955671 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7120667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile is ubiquitous in the environment and is also considered as a bacterium of great importance in diarrhea-associated disease for humans and different animal species. Food animals and household pets are frequently found positive for toxigenic C. difficile without exposing clinical signs of infection. Humans and animals share common C. difficile ribotypes (RTs) suggesting potential zoonotic transmission. However, the role of animals for the development of human infection due to C. difficile remains unclear. One major public health issue is the existence of asymptomatic animals that carry and shed the bacterium to the environment, and infect individuals or populations, directly or through the food chain. C. difficile ribotype 078 is frequently isolated from food animals and household pets as well as from their environment. Nevertheless, direct evidence for the transmission of this particular ribotype from animals to humans has never been established. This review will summarize the current available data on epidemiology, clinical presentations, risk factors and laboratory diagnosis of C. difficile infection in food animals and household pets, outline potential prevention and control strategies, and also describe the current evidence towards a zoonotic potential of C. difficile infection.
Collapse
|
18
|
Albiach L, Camprubí D, Alvarez-Martínez MJ, Soriano A. Ribotype 027 Clostridioides difficile infection presented as a traveller's diarrhoea. Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin 2019; 38:196-197. [PMID: 31607397 DOI: 10.1016/j.eimc.2019.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Laia Albiach
- Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Daniel Camprubí
- Tropical Medicine and International Health Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Spain; ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miriam J Alvarez-Martínez
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Microbiology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alex Soriano
- Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Muñoz M, Restrepo-Montoya D, Kumar N, Iraola G, Camargo M, Díaz-Arévalo D, Roa-Molina NS, Tellez MA, Herrera G, Ríos-Chaparro DI, Birchenall C, Pinilla D, Pardo-Oviedo JM, Rodríguez-Leguizamón G, Josa DF, Lawley TD, Patarroyo MA, Ramírez JD. Integrated genomic epidemiology and phenotypic profiling of Clostridium difficile across intra-hospital and community populations in Colombia. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11293. [PMID: 31383872 PMCID: PMC6683185 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47688-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridium difficile, the causal agent of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, has a complex epidemiology poorly studied in Latin America. We performed a robust genomic and phenotypic profiling of 53 C. difficile clinical isolates established from diarrheal samples from either intrahospital (IH) or community (CO) populations in central Colombia. In vitro tests were conducted to evaluate the cytopathic effect, the minimum inhibitory concentration of ten antimicrobial agents, the sporulation efficiency and the colony forming ability. Eleven different sequence types (STs) were found, the majority present individually in each sample, however in three samples two different STs were isolated. Interestingly, CO patients were infected with STs associated with hypervirulent strains (ST-1 in Clade-2). Three coexistence events (two STs simultaneously detected in the same sample) were observed always involving ST-8 from Clade-1. A total of 2,502 genes were present in 99% of the isolates with 95% of identity or more, it represents a core genome of 28.6% of the 8,735 total genes identified in the set of genomes. A high cytopathic effect was observed for the isolates positive for the two main toxins but negative for binary toxin (TcdA+/TcdB+/CDT- toxin production type), found only in Clade-1. Molecular markers conferring resistance to fluoroquinolones (cdeA and gyrA) and to sulfonamides (folP) were the most frequent in the analyzed genomes. In addition, 15 other markers were found mostly in Clade-2 isolates. These results highlight the regional differences that C. difficile isolates display, being in this case the CO isolates the ones having a greater number of accessory genes and virulence-associated factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marina Muñoz
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
- Posgrado Interfacultades Doctorado en Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Daniel Restrepo-Montoya
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Department, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA
| | - Nitin Kumar
- Host-Microbiota Interactions Laboratory, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Gregorio Iraola
- Microbial Genomics Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Center for Integrative Biology, Universidad Mayor, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Milena Camargo
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá, Colombia
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Diana Díaz-Arévalo
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá, Colombia
- Faculty of Animal Sciences, Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas y Ambientales (UDCA), Bogotá, Colombia
- Hygea group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad de Boyacá, Tunja, Colombia
| | - Nelly S Roa-Molina
- Centro de Investigaciones Odontológicas, Facultad de Odontología, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Mayra A Tellez
- Centro de Investigaciones Odontológicas, Facultad de Odontología, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Giovanny Herrera
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
- PhD Programme in Biomedical and Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics/School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Dora I Ríos-Chaparro
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Claudia Birchenall
- Hospital Universitario Mayor - Méderi, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Darío Pinilla
- Hospital Universitario Mayor - Méderi, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan M Pardo-Oviedo
- Hospital Universitario Mayor - Méderi, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | | | - Trevor D Lawley
- Host-Microbiota Interactions Laboratory, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Manuel A Patarroyo
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá, Colombia
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
The epidemiology of Clostridioides difficile infection in Brazil: A systematic review covering thirty years. Anaerobe 2019; 58:13-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2019.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 03/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
|
21
|
Diniz AN, de Oliveira Júnior CA, Vilela EG, Figueiredo HCP, Rupnik M, Wilcox MH, Fawley WN, Blanc DS, Faria Lobato FC, Silva ROS. Molecular epidemiology of Clostridioides (previously Clostridium) difficile isolates from a university hospital in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Anaerobe 2019; 56:34-39. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2019.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
|
22
|
High frequency of Clostridium difficile infections in Brazil: Results from a multicenter point-prevalence study. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2019; 40:484-485. [DOI: 10.1017/ice.2019.27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|
23
|
Curcio D, Cané A, Fernández FA, Correa J. Clostridium difficile-associated Diarrhea in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Infect Dis Ther 2019; 8:87-103. [PMID: 30659481 PMCID: PMC6374231 DOI: 10.1007/s40121-019-0231-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The prevalence of Clostridium difficile infection is rapidly increasing worldwide, but prevalence is difficult to estimate in developing countries where awareness, diagnostic resources, and surveillance protocols are limited. As diarrhea is the hallmark symptom, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the prevalence and incidence of C. difficile infection in patients in these regions who presented with diarrhea. METHODS We conducted a systematic literature search of MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, and Latin-American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature databases to identify and analyze data from recent studies providing prevalence or incidence rates of C. difficile-associated diarrhea in developing countries within four regions: Africa-Middle East, developing Asia, Latin America, and China. Our objectives were to determine the current prevalence and incidence density rates of first episodes of C. difficile-associated diarrhea in developing countries. RESULTS Within the regions included in our analysis, prevalence of C. difficile infection in patients with diarrhea was 15% (95% CI 13-17%) (including community and hospitalized patients), with no significant difference across regions. The incidence of C. difficile infection in 17 studies including this information was 8.5 per 10,000 patient-days (95% CI 5.83-12.46). Prevalence was significantly higher in hospitalized patients versus community patients (p = 0.0227). CONCLUSION Our prevalence estimate of 15% is concerning; however, low awareness and inconsistent diagnostic and surveillance protocols suggest this is markedly underestimated. Enhanced awareness and management of C. difficile infection in patients with diarrhea, along with improvements in infection control and surveillance practices, should be implemented to reduce prevalence of C. difficile-associated diarrhea in developing countries. FUNDING Pfizer Inc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Curcio
- Vaccines Emerging Markets, Pfizer Inc, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Alejandro Cané
- Vaccines Emerging Markets, Pfizer Inc, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Jorge Correa
- Buenos Aires University, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
MOHAMMADBEIGI M, SAFAYI DELOUYI Z, MOHAMMADZADEH N, ALA’ALMOHADESIN A, TAHERI K, EDALATI E, SEDIGHI M, ZAHEDI BIALVAEI A. Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of toxigenic Clostridium difficilestrains isolated in Iran. Turk J Med Sci 2019; 49:384-391. [PMID: 30761842 PMCID: PMC7350832 DOI: 10.3906/sag-1808-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/aim Clostridium difficile is a frequent cause of nosocomial infections and has become a major public health concern in developed nations. In the present study, the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of toxigenic C. difficile strains isolated in Iran were investigated. Materials and methods Between June 2016 and May 2017, 2947 inpatient fecal samples were taken from symptomatic adult hospitalized patients in different units of 32 care facilities in Tehran, Iran. C. difficile strains were identified by microbiological/biochemical methods. Susceptibility to 20 antimicrobials was measured by E-test method. Toxin-specific immunoassays and cytotoxicity assays were used to determine in vitro toxin production. Results Out of 2947 fecal samples, 538 (18.25%) C. difficile isolates were obtained among those with suspected CDI. In E-test method, all C. difficile isolates were susceptible to fidaxomicin, vancomycin, amoxicillin/clavulanate, and meropenem and were resistant to penicillin G. The prevalence of multidrug resistant C. difficile was 69.33% (373/538). Among 538 C. difficile, 147 (27.32%), 169 (31.41%), and 222 (41.26%) isolates were TcdA+/TcdB+, TcdA-/TcdB+, and TcdA-/TcdB-, respectively. Conclusion The results evidently support the hypothesis of a probable role of toxigenic strains of C. difficile in developing gastrointestinal complaints in patients with diarrhea.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maryam MOHAMMADBEIGI
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, QazvinIran
| | - Zahra SAFAYI DELOUYI
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Sciences, Qom Branch, Islamic Azad University, QomIran
| | - Nima MOHAMMADZADEH
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, TehranIran
| | - Arash ALA’ALMOHADESIN
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Sciences, Qom Branch, Islamic Azad University, QomIran
| | - Keyvan TAHERI
- Department of Biology, Damghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, DamghanIran
| | - Elahe EDALATI
- Department of Microbiology, Kerman Branch, Islamic Azad University, KermanIran
| | - Mansour SEDIGHI
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, TehranIran
- Azarbaijan-Gharbi Regional Blood Transfusion Center, UrmiaIran
| | - Abed ZAHEDI BIALVAEI
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, TehranIran
- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Balsells E, Shi T, Leese C, Lyell I, Burrows J, Wiuff C, Campbell H, Kyaw MH, Nair H. Global burden of Clostridium difficile infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Glob Health 2019; 9:010407. [PMID: 30603078 PMCID: PMC6304170 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.09.010407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Clostridium difficile is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in several countries. However, there are limited evidence characterizing its role as a global public health problem. We conducted a systematic review to provide a comprehensive overview of C. difficile infections (CDI) rates. Methods Seven databases were searched (January 2016) to identify studies and surveillance reports published between 2005 and 2015 reporting CDI incidence rates. CDI incidence rates for health care facility-associated (HCF), hospital onset-health care facility-associated, medical or general intensive care unit (ICU), internal medicine (IM), long-term care facility (LTCF), and community-associated (CA) were extracted and standardized. Meta-analysis was conducted using a random effects model. Results 229 publications, with data from 41 countries, were included. The overall rate of HCF-CDI was 2.24 (95% confidence interval CI = 1.66-3.03) per 1000 admissions/y and 3.54 (95%CI = 3.19-3.92) per 10 000 patient-days/y. Estimated rates for CDI with onset in ICU or IM wards were 11.08 (95%CI = 7.19-17.08) and 10.80 (95%CI = 3.15-37.06) per 1000 admission/y, respectively. Rates for CA-CDI were lower: 0.55 (95%CI = 0.13-2.37) per 1000 admissions/y. CDI rates were generally higher in North America and among the elderly but similar rates were identified in other regions and age groups. Conclusions Our review highlights the widespread burden of disease of C. difficile, evidence gaps, and the need for sustainable surveillance of CDI in the health care setting and the community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn Balsells
- Centre for Global Health Research, Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Joint first authorship
| | - Ting Shi
- Centre for Global Health Research, Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Joint first authorship
| | - Callum Leese
- Centre for Global Health Research, Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Iona Lyell
- Centre for Global Health Research, Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - John Burrows
- Centre for Global Health Research, Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Harry Campbell
- Centre for Global Health Research, Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Moe H Kyaw
- Sanofi Pasteur, Swiftwater, Pennsylvania, USA.,Joint last authorship
| | - Harish Nair
- Centre for Global Health Research, Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Joint last authorship
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Lopes Cançado GG, Silveira Silva RO, Rupnik M, Nader AP, Starling de Carvalho J, Miana de Mattos Paixão G, Martins Resende BA, Faria Lobato FC, Vilela EG. Clinical epidemiology of Clostridium difficile infection among hospitalized patients with antibiotic-associated diarrhea in a university hospital of Brazil. Anaerobe 2018; 54:65-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2018.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
|
27
|
Legenza L, Barnett S, Rose W, Bianchini M, Safdar N, Coetzee R. Epidemiology and outcomes of Clostridium difficile infection among hospitalised patients: results of a multicentre retrospective study in South Africa. BMJ Glob Health 2018; 3:e000889. [PMID: 30057799 PMCID: PMC6058171 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2018-000889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Limited data exist on Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in low-resource settings and settings with high prevalence of HIV. We aimed to determine baseline CDI patient characteristics and management and their contribution to mortality. Methods We reviewed adult patients hospitalised with diarrhoea and a C. difficile test result in 2015 from four public district hospitals in the Western Cape, South Africa. The primary outcome measures were risk factors for mortality. Secondary outcomes were C. difficile risk factors (positive vs negative) and CDI treatment. Results Charts of patients with diarrhoea tested for C. difficile (n=250; 112 C. difficile positive, 138 C. difficile negative) were reviewed. The study population included more women (65%). C. difficile-positive patients were older (46.5 vs 40.7 years, p<0.01). All-cause mortality was more common in the C. difficile-positive group (29% vs 8%, p<0.0001; HR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.6). Tuberculosis (C. difficile positive 54% vs C. difficile negative 32%, p<0.001), 30-day prior antibiotic exposure (C. difficile positive 83% vs C. difficile negative 46%, p<0.001) and prior hospitalisation (C. difficile positive 55% vs C. difficile negative 22%, p<0.001) were also more common in the C. difficile-positive group. C. difficile positive test result (OR 4.7, 95% CI 2.0 to 11.2; p<0.001), male gender (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.1 to 7.2; p=0.031) and tuberculosis (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.0 to 5.0; p=0.038) were independently associated with mortality. Of patients starting treatment, metronidazole was the most common antimicrobial therapy initiated (70%, n=78); 32 C. difficile-positive (29%) patients were not treated. Conclusion Patients testing positive for C. difficile are at high risk of mortality at public district hospitals in South Africa. Tuberculosis should be considered an additional risk factor for CDI in populations with high tuberculosis and HIV comorbidity. Interventions for CDI prevention and management are urgently needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laurel Legenza
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Susanne Barnett
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Warren Rose
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Monica Bianchini
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Nasia Safdar
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Renier Coetzee
- School of Pharmacy, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Clostridium difficile Toxoid Vaccine Candidate Confers Broad Protection against a Range of Prevalent Circulating Strains in a Nonclinical Setting. Infect Immun 2018; 86:IAI.00742-17. [PMID: 29632249 PMCID: PMC5964523 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00742-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a leading cause of nosocomial and antibiotic-associated diarrhea. A vaccine, based on formalin-inactivated toxins A and B purified from anaerobic cultures of C. difficile strain VPI 10463 (toxinotype 0), has been in development for the prevention of symptomatic CDI. We evaluated the breadth of protection conferred by this C. difficile toxoid vaccine in cross-neutralization assessments using sera from vaccinated hamsters against a collection of 165 clinical isolates. Hamster antisera raised against the C. difficile toxoid vaccine neutralized the cytotoxic activity of culture supernatants from several toxinotype 0 strains and heterologous strains from 10 different toxinotypes. Further assessments performed with purified toxins confirmed that vaccine-elicited antibodies can neutralize both A and B toxins from a variety of toxinotypes. In the hamster challenge model, the vaccine conferred significant cross-protection against disease symptoms and death caused by heterologous C. difficile strains from the most common phylogenetic clades, including the most prevalent toxinotypes.
Collapse
|
29
|
Nasiri MJ, Goudarzi M, Hajikhani B, Ghazi M, Goudarzi H, Pouriran R. Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile infection in hospitalized patients with antibiotic-associated diarrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Anaerobe 2018; 50:32-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2018.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Revised: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
|
30
|
Assessing the Burden of Clostridium difficile Infection in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. J Clin Microbiol 2018; 56:JCM.01747-17. [PMID: 29305541 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01747-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In contrast to the significant resources invested in the diagnosis and prevention of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in resource-rich settings, in resource-limited settings patients with community- and hospital-acquired diarrhea may not routinely be tested for CDI. Is CDI actually less frequent or severe in resource-limited settings, or might we be missing an important opportunity to prevent CDI-related morbidity and mortality (and to promote antibiotic stewardship) in these settings? Here, we review the literature to assess the overall burden of CDI in low- and middle-income countries.
Collapse
|
31
|
Muñoz M, Ríos-Chaparro DI, Herrera G, Soto-De Leon SC, Birchenall C, Pinilla D, Pardo-Oviedo JM, Josa DF, Patarroyo MA, Ramírez JD. New Insights into Clostridium difficile (CD) Infection in Latin America: Novel Description of Toxigenic Profiles of Diarrhea-Associated to CD in Bogotá, Colombia. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:74. [PMID: 29441053 PMCID: PMC5797639 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium difficile (CD) produces antibiotic associated diarrhea and leads to a broad range of diseases. The source of CD infection (CDI) acquisition and toxigenic profile are factors determining the impact of CD. This study aimed at detecting healthcare facility onset- (HCFO) and community-onset (CO) CDI and describing their toxigenic profiles in Bogotá, Colombia. A total of 217 fecal samples from patients suffering diarrhea were simultaneously submitted to two CDI detection strategies: (i) in vitro culture using selective chromogenic medium (SCM; chromID, bioMérieux), followed verification by colony screening (VCS), and (ii) molecular detection targeting constitutive genes, using two conventional PCR tests (conv.PCR) (conv.16S y conv.gdh) and a quantitative test (qPCR.16s). The CD toxigenic profile identified by any molecular test was described using 6 tests independently for describing PaLoc and CdtLoc organization. High overall CDI frequencies were found by both SCM (52.1%) and conv.PCR (45.6% for conv.16S and 42.4% for conv.gdh), compared to reductions of up to half the frequency by VCS (27.2%) or qPCR.16S (22.6%). Infection frequencies were higher for SCM and conv.16S regarding HCFO but greater for CO concerning conv.gdh, such differences being statistically significant. Heterogeneous toxigenic profiles were found, including amplification with lok1/3 primers simultaneously with other PaLoc markers (tcdA, tcdB or tcdC). These findings correspond the first report regarding the differential detection of CDI using in vitro culture and molecular detection tests in Colombia, the circulation of CD having heterogeneous toxigenic profiles and molecular arrays which could affect the impact of CDI epidemiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marina Muñoz
- Universidad del Rosario, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Programa de Biología, Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Bogotá, Colombia.,Posgrado Interfacultades Doctorado en Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Dora I Ríos-Chaparro
- Universidad del Rosario, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Programa de Biología, Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Giovanny Herrera
- Universidad del Rosario, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Programa de Biología, Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Sara C Soto-De Leon
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Darío Pinilla
- Hospital Universitario Mayor-Méderi, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | | | - Manuel A Patarroyo
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia.,Universidad del Rosario, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan D Ramírez
- Universidad del Rosario, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Programa de Biología, Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Bogotá, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Characteristics of Clostridium difficile infection in a high complexity hospital and report of the circulation of the NAP1/027 hypervirulent strain in Colombia. BIOMEDICA 2017; 37:466-472. [DOI: 10.7705/biomedica.v37i4.3244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2016] [Revised: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Introducción. Clostridium difficile es el principal responsable de la diarrea asociada al uso de antibióticos. En Colombia y en Latinoamérica, el conocimiento sobre el comportamiento epidemiológico de la infección por C. difficile todavía es limitado.Objetivo. Describir las características de una serie de pacientes con infección por C. difficile.Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio descriptivo de una serie de casos de pacientes con infección por C. difficile atendidos en la Fundación Clínica Shaio, entre enero de 2012 y noviembre de 2015.Resultados. Se estudiaron 36 pacientes con una edad promedio de 65 años. Se determinaron los siguientes factores relacionados con la infección por C. difficile: uso previo de antimicrobianos (94,4 %), hospitalización en los últimos tres meses (66,7 %) y uso de inhibidores de la bomba de protones (50 %). Las comorbilidades más comunes fueron la enfermedad renal crónica (41,7 %) y la diabetes mellitus (30,6 %). Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron más de tres deposiciones diarreicas (97,1 %) y dolor abdominal (42,9 %). En cuanto a la gravedad de los casos, 44,4 % se clasificó como leve a moderado, 38,9 % como grave, y 11,1 % como complicado o grave. El método de diagnóstico más utilizado (63,8% de los pacientes) fue la identificación de la toxina mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR). La mortalidad global durante la hospitalización fue de 8 %. Se identificaron cuatro cepas del serotipo NAP1/027 y nueve muestras fueron positivas para la toxina binaria.Conclusión. La infección por C. difficile debe sospecharse en pacientes con deposiciones diarreicas y factores asociados tradicionalmente a esta enfermedad. Se reportó la circulación de cepas hipervirulentas del serotipo NAP1/027 en Colombia, lo cual debe enfrentarse con la vigilancia epidemiológica y el diagnóstico temprano
Collapse
|
33
|
Popescu GA, Serban R, Pistol A, Niculcea A, Preda A, Lemeni D, Macovei IS, Tălăpan D, Rafila A, Florea D. The Recent Emergence of Clostridium difficile Infection in Romanian Hospitals is Associated with a High Prevalence of Polymerase Chain Reaction Ribotype 027. Balkan Med J 2017; 35:191-195. [PMID: 29188783 PMCID: PMC5863259 DOI: 10.4274/balkanmedj.2017.0400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims: To investigate the epidemiology of Clostridium difficile infection in Romanian hospitals. Methods: A survey was conducted at nine hospitals throughout Romania between November 2013 and February 2014. Results: The survey identified 393 patients with Clostridium difficile infection. The median age was 67 years (range: 2-94 years); 56% of patients were aged >65 years. The mean prevalence of Clostridium difficile infection was 5.2 cases per 10.000 patient-days. The highest prevalences were 24.9 and 20 per 10.000 patient-days in hospitals specializing in gastroenterology and infectious diseases, respectively. Clostridium difficile infections were health care-associated in 70.5% patients and community-acquired in 10.2%. The origin was not determined in 19.3%. Clostridium difficile infection was severe in 12.3% of patients, and the in-hospital all-cause mortality was 8.8%. Polymerase chain reaction ribotype 027 had the highest prevalence in all participating hospitals and represented 82.6% of the total ribotyped isolates. The minimum inhibitory concentration of moxifloxacin was >4 μg/mL for 59 of 80 tested isolates (73.8%). Of 59 isolates, 54 were highly resistant to moxifloxacin (minimum inhibitory concentration ≥32 μg/mL), and the majority were polymerase chain reaction ribotype 027 (p<0.0001). Conclusion: The ribotype 027 was the predominant cause of Clostridium difficile infections in Romania. In some specialized hospitals, the prevalence of Clostridium difficile infection was higher than the European mean prevalence, and this demonstrates the need for strict adherence to infection control programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Adrian Popescu
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Matei Bals, Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Carol Davila University School of Medicine, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Roxana Serban
- National Centre for Communicable Surveillance and Control, National Institute for Public Health, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Adriana Pistol
- National Centre for Communicable Surveillance and Control, National Institute for Public Health, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Andreea Niculcea
- National Centre for Communicable Surveillance and Control, National Institute for Public Health, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Andreea Preda
- National Centre for Communicable Surveillance and Control, National Institute for Public Health, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Daniela Lemeni
- Clinic of Microbiology and Immunology, "Cantacuzino" National Institute for Research, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ioana Sabina Macovei
- Clinic of Microbiology and Immunology, "Cantacuzino" National Institute for Research, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Daniela Tălăpan
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Matei Bals, Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Carol Davila University School of Medicine, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alexandru Rafila
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Matei Bals, Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Carol Davila University School of Medicine, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Dragoş Florea
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Matei Bals, Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Carol Davila University School of Medicine, Bucharest, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Salazar CL, Reyes C, Atehortua S, Sierra P, Correa MM, Paredes-Sabja D, Best E, Fawley WN, Wilcox M, González Á. Molecular, microbiological and clinical characterization of Clostridium difficile isolates from tertiary care hospitals in Colombia. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0184689. [PMID: 28902923 PMCID: PMC5597206 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In Colombia, the epidemiology and circulating genotypes of Clostridium difficile have not yet been described. Therefore, we molecularly characterized clinical isolates of C.difficile from patients with suspicion of C.difficile infection (CDI) in three tertiary care hospitals. C.difficile was isolated from stool samples by culture, the presence of A/B toxins were detected by enzyme immunoassay, cytotoxicity was tested by cell culture and the antimicrobial susceptibility determined. After DNA extraction, tcdA, tcdB and binary toxin (CDTa/CDTb) genes were detected by PCR, and PCR-ribotyping performed. From a total of 913 stool samples collected during 2013-2014, 775 were included in the study. The frequency of A/B toxins-positive samples was 9.7% (75/775). A total of 143 isolates of C.difficile were recovered from culture, 110 (76.9%) produced cytotoxic effect in cell culture, 100 (69.9%) were tcdA+/tcdB+, 11 (7.7%) tcdA-/tcdB+, 32 (22.4%) tcdA-/tcdB- and 25 (17.5%) CDTa+/CDTb+. From 37 ribotypes identified, ribotypes 591 (20%), 106 (9%) and 002 (7.9%) were the most prevalent; only one isolate corresponded to ribotype 027, four to ribotype 078 and four were new ribotypes (794,795, 804,805). All isolates were susceptible to vancomycin and metronidazole, while 85% and 7.7% were resistant to clindamycin and moxifloxacin, respectively. By multivariate analysis, significant risk factors associated to CDI were, staying in orthopedic service, exposure to third-generation cephalosporins and staying in an ICU before CDI symptoms; moreover, steroids showed to be a protector factor. These results revealed new C. difficile ribotypes and a high diversity profile circulating in Colombia different from those reported in America and European countries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clara Lina Salazar
- Research Group in Anaerobic Bacteria (GIBA), School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Catalina Reyes
- Basic and Applied Microbiology Research Group (MICROBA), School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | | | - Patricia Sierra
- Clínica León XIII, IPS Universitaria, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Margarita María Correa
- Molecular Microbiology Group, School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Daniel Paredes-Sabja
- Microbiota-Host Interactions and Clostridia Research Group, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, at Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Emma Best
- Departament of Microbiology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Warren N. Fawley
- Departament of Microbiology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Wilcox
- Departament of Microbiology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Ángel González
- Basic and Applied Microbiology Research Group (MICROBA), School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Ferreira TG, Moura H, Barr JR, Pilotto Domingues RMC, Ferreira EDO. Ribotypes associated with Clostridium difficile outbreaks in Brazil display distinct surface protein profiles. Anaerobe 2017; 45:120-128. [PMID: 28435010 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2017.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Revised: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Clostridium difficile is a spore-forming anaerobic intestinal pathogen that causes Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). C. difficile is the leading cause of toxin-mediated nosocomial antibiotic-associated diarrhea. The pathogenesis of CDI is attributed to two major virulence factors, TcdA and TcdB toxins, that cause the symptomatic infection. C. difficile also expresses a number of key proteins, including cell wall proteins (CWPs). S-layer proteins (SLPs) are CWPs that form a paracrystalline surface array that coats the surface of the bacterium. SLPs have a role in C. difficile binding to the gastrointestinal tract, but their importance in virulence need to be better elucidated. Here, we describe bottom-up proteomics analysis of surface-enriched proteins fractions obtained through glycine extraction of five C. difficile clinical isolates from Brazil using gel-based and gel-free approaches. We were able to identify approximately 250 proteins for each strain, among them SlpA, Cwp2, Cwp6, CwpV and Cwp84. Identified CWPs presented different amino acid coverage, which might suggest differences in post-translational modifications. Proteomic analysis of SLPs from ribotype 133, agent of C. difficile outbreaks in Brazil, revealed unique proteins and provided additional information towards in depth characterization of the strains causing CDI in Brazil.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thais Gonçalves Ferreira
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Laboratório de Biologia de Anaeróbios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Hercules Moura
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - CDC, Division of Laboratory Sciences, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - John R Barr
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - CDC, Division of Laboratory Sciences, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Regina M C Pilotto Domingues
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Laboratório de Biologia de Anaeróbios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Eliane de Oliveira Ferreira
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Laboratório de Biologia de Anaeróbios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - Polo Xerém, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Paláu-Dávila L, Garza-González E, Gutiérrez-Delgado EM, Camacho-Ortiz A. Predictors of severe outcomes in patients with Clostridium difficile infection from a Hispanic population. Indian J Gastroenterol 2017; 36:38-42. [PMID: 27987135 DOI: 10.1007/s12664-016-0722-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/26/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Factors associated with complicated Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) may vary among populations, and predictors of severe outcomes in CDI have not been studied in Hispanic patients. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with a higher risk of colectomy, all-cause mortality, and CDI-associated mortality in a Hispanic population. METHODS We performed a retrospective study of all hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of CDI between January 1, 2011 and September 30, 2015 in a 450-bed teaching hospital in Monterrey, northeast Mexico. Three main outcomes were defined: fulminant colitis with subsequent colectomy, all-cause mortality within 30 days of diagnosis, and CDI-attributable mortality. RESULTS Of 261 patients with diarrhea, 176 were diagnosed with CDI. For colectomy, Charlson comorbidity index, ICU stay and mechanical ventilation prior to CDI diagnosis, days with diarrhea prior to treatment, total days of hospital stay and days after CDI diagnosis, elevated ATLAS score, days of diarrhea post CDI treatment, and treatment failure significantly predicted the necessity of surgical treatment with colectomy. CONCLUSION Treatment failure, persistent diarrhea, and a high ATLAS score were identified as risk factors for severe outcomes of CDI. A low albumin concentration and high creatinine were associated with higher overall mortality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Paláu-Dávila
- Servicio de Infectología, Hospital Universitario "Dr. José Eleuterio González", Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, 64460, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Elvira Garza-González
- Servicio de Gastroenterología, Hospital Universitario "Dr. José Eleuterio González", Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, 64460, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Eva María Gutiérrez-Delgado
- Servicio de Infectología, Hospital Universitario "Dr. José Eleuterio González", Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, 64460, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Adrián Camacho-Ortiz
- Servicio de Infectología, Hospital Universitario "Dr. José Eleuterio González", Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, 64460, Monterrey, Mexico.
- Coordinación de Epidemiología Hospitalaria, Hospital Universitario "Dr. José Eleuterio González", Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, 64460, Monterrey, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Morales L, Rodríguez C, Gamboa-Coronado MDM. Molecular detection of Clostridium difficile on inert surfaces from a Costa Rican hospital during and after an outbreak. Am J Infect Control 2016; 44:1517-1519. [PMID: 28340959 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2016.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Revised: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospital transmission of Clostridium difficile is fostered by contamination of surfaces and medical equipment with spores highly resistant to disinfectants and regular cleaning procedures. Despite the outbreaks and fatalities that C difficile causes, its epidemiology has not been studied in hospitals from middle- and low-income countries. To tackle this knowledge gap, the detection frequency of C difficile DNA on inert surfaces of a major Costa Rican hospital during and after an outbreak was compared. METHODS We used a presence-absence real-time polymerase chain reaction to detect a fragment of the tpi gene of C difficile on 21 surface samples collected during an outbreak and 54 surface samples taken 2 years later at the same hospital. RESULTS C difficile DNA was detected in 40% of the 75 environmental samples analyzed. Whereas 71% of the samples collected during the outbreak were positive, only 28% of the samples obtained 2 years after the outbreak gave the same result. This 2.5× ratio was maintained when the comparison was restricted to the wards that were sampled both during and after the outbreak (72% vs 35%, P = .016). CONCLUSIONS Our results show that environmental surfaces in the hospital analyzed are continuously being contaminated with C difficile DNA and that their level of contamination is higher during an outbreak than after it.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Morales
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales and Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, Ciudad Universitaria Rodrigo Facio, SJ, Costa Rica
| | - César Rodríguez
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales and Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, Ciudad Universitaria Rodrigo Facio, SJ, Costa Rica.
| | - María Del Mar Gamboa-Coronado
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales and Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, Ciudad Universitaria Rodrigo Facio, SJ, Costa Rica
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Rodriguez C, Van Broeck J, Taminiau B, Delmée M, Daube G. Clostridium difficile infection: Early history, diagnosis and molecular strain typing methods. Microb Pathog 2016; 97:59-78. [PMID: 27238460 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2016.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Revised: 04/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Recognised as the leading cause of nosocomial antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, the incidence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) remains high despite efforts to improve prevention and reduce the spread of the bacterium in healthcare settings. In the last decade, many studies have focused on the epidemiology and rapid diagnosis of CDI. In addition, different typing methods have been developed for epidemiological studies. This review explores the history of C. difficile and the current scope of the infection. The variety of available laboratory tests for CDI diagnosis and strain typing methods are also examined.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Rodriguez
- Food Science Department, FARAH, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
| | - J Van Broeck
- Belgian Reference Centre for Clostridium Difficile (NRC), Pôle de microbiologie médicale, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - B Taminiau
- Food Science Department, FARAH, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - M Delmée
- Belgian Reference Centre for Clostridium Difficile (NRC), Pôle de microbiologie médicale, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - G Daube
- Food Science Department, FARAH, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Silva ROS, Rupnik M, Diniz AN, Vilela EG, Lobato FCF. Clostridium difficile ribotypes in humans and animals in Brazil. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2015; 110:1062-5. [PMID: 26676318 PMCID: PMC4708028 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760150294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridium difficile is an emerging enteropathogen responsible for pseudomembranous colitis in humans and diarrhoea in several domestic and wild animal species. Despite its known importance, there are few studies about C. difficile polymerase chain reaction (PCR) ribotypes in Brazil and the actual knowledge is restricted to studies on human isolates. The aim of the study was therefore to compare C. difficile ribotypes isolated from humans and animals in Brazil. Seventy-six C. difficile strains isolated from humans (n = 25), dogs (n = 23), piglets (n = 12), foals (n = 7), calves (n = 7), one cat, and one manned wolf were distributed into 24 different PCR ribotypes. Among toxigenic strains, PCR ribotypes 014/020 and 106 were the most common, accounting for 14 (18.4%) and eight (10.5%) samples, respectively. Fourteen different PCR ribotypes were detected among human isolates, nine of them have also been identified in at least one animal species. PCR ribotype 027 was not detected, whereas 078 were found only in foals. This data suggests a high diversity of PCR ribotypes in humans and animals in Brazil and support the discussion of C. difficile as a zoonotic pathogen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Maja Rupnik
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Amanda Nádia Diniz
- Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Eduardo Garcia Vilela
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Rodriguez C, Taminiau B, Van Broeck J, Delmée M, Daube G. Clostridium difficile infection and intestinal microbiota interactions. Microb Pathog 2015; 89:201-9. [PMID: 26549493 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2015.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Revised: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 10/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Clostridium difficile remains the leading cause of healthcare-associated diarrhoea and outbreaks continue to occur worldwide. Aside from nosocomial C. difficile infection, the bacterium is also increasingly important as a community pathogen. Furthermore, asymptomatic carriage of C. difficile in neonates, adults and animals is also well recognised. The investigation of the gut's microbial communities, in both healthy subjects and patients suffering C. difficile infection (CDI), provides findings and information relevant for developing new successful approaches for its treatment, such as faecal microbiota transplantation, or for the prophylaxis of the infection by modification of the gut microbiota using functional foods and beverages. The analysis of all available data shows new insights into the role of intestinal microbiota in health and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Rodriguez
- Food Science Department, FARAH, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
| | - B Taminiau
- Food Science Department, FARAH, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - J Van Broeck
- Belgian Reference Centre for Clostridium difficile (NRC), Pôle de Microbiologie Médicale, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - M Delmée
- Belgian Reference Centre for Clostridium difficile (NRC), Pôle de Microbiologie Médicale, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - G Daube
- Food Science Department, FARAH, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Becker SL, Chatigre JK, Coulibaly JT, Mertens P, Bonfoh B, Herrmann M, Kuijper EJ, N'Goran EK, Utzinger J, von Müller L. Molecular and culture-based diagnosis of Clostridium difficile isolates from Côte d'Ivoire after prolonged storage at disrupted cold chain conditions. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2015; 109:660-8. [PMID: 26354793 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trv071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Accepted: 08/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although Clostridium difficile is a major cause of diarrhoea, its epidemiology in tropical settings is poorly understood. Strain characterisation requires work-up in specialised laboratories, often after prolonged storage without properly maintained cold chain. METHODS We screened 298 human faecal samples from Côte d'Ivoire using a rapid test for C. difficile glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH). GDH-positive samples were aerobically stored at disrupted cold chain conditions (mean duration: 11 days) before transfer to a reference laboratory for anaerobic culture, susceptibility testing, PCR assays and ribotyping. RESULTS Sixteen samples (5.4%) had a positive GDH screening test. C. difficile infection was confirmed in six specimens by culture and PCR, while no nucleic acids of C. difficile were detected in the culture-negative samples. Further analysis of stool samples harbouring toxigenic C. difficile strains confirmed that both GDH and toxins remained detectable for at least 28 days, regardless of storage conditions (aerobic storage at 4°C or 20°C). CONCLUSIONS Storage conditions only minimally affect recovery of C. difficile and its toxins in stool culture. A rapid GDH screening test and subsequent transfer of GDH-positive stool samples to reference laboratories for in-depth characterisation may improve our understanding of the epidemiology of C. difficile in the tropics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sören L Becker
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Saarland University, Kirrberger Straße, Building 43, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Justin K Chatigre
- Département de Médecine Interne, Hôpital Méthodiste de Dabou, Dabou, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Jean T Coulibaly
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland Unité de Formation et de Recherche Biosciences, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, 02 BP 770, Abidjan 02, Côte d'Ivoire Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire, 01 BP 1303, Abidjan 01, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Pascal Mertens
- Coris BioConcept, Rue Jean Sonet 4A, B-5032 Gembloux, Belgium
| | - Bassirou Bonfoh
- Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire, 01 BP 1303, Abidjan 01, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Mathias Herrmann
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Saarland University, Kirrberger Straße, Building 43, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Ed J Kuijper
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, NL-2333 Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Eliézer K N'Goran
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche Biosciences, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, 02 BP 770, Abidjan 02, Côte d'Ivoire Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire, 01 BP 1303, Abidjan 01, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Jürg Utzinger
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lutz von Müller
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Saarland University, Kirrberger Straße, Building 43, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Outcomes and Risk Factors Associated with Clostridium difficile Diarrhea in Hospitalized Adult Patients. Gastroenterol Res Pract 2015; 2015:346341. [PMID: 26101522 PMCID: PMC4458528 DOI: 10.1155/2015/346341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Revised: 05/02/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background. The epidemiology of Clostridium difficile infection has changed over time. Therefore, it is essential to monitor the characteristics of patients at risk of infection and factors associated with poor prognosis. Objective. To evaluate factors associated with C. difficile infection and with poor prognosis in those with documented C. difficile colitis. Methods. A retrospective case-control study of 75 patients with documented C. difficile colitis and 75 controls with hospital-acquired diarrhea of other causes. Stepwise multiple logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with C. difficile infection among patients with hospital-acquired diarrhea. Results. Previous antibiotic treatment (odds ratio (OR), 13.3; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.40–126.90), abdominal distension (OR, 3.85; 95% CI, 1.35–10.98), and fecal leukocytes (OR, 8.79; 95% CI, 1.41–54.61) are considered as predictors of C. difficile colitis; anorexia was negatively associated with C. difficile infection (OR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.03–0.66). Enteral tube feeding was independently associated with a composite outcome that included in-hospital mortality, intensive care unit admission, and treatment failure (OR, 3.75; 95%CI, 1.24–11.29). Conclusions. Previous antibiotic use and presence of fecal leukocytes in patients with hospital-acquired diarrhea are associated with C. difficile colitis and enteral tube support with complications associated with C. difficile colitis.
Collapse
|
43
|
A Combination of Three Fully Human Toxin A- and Toxin B-Specific Monoclonal Antibodies Protects against Challenge with Highly Virulent Epidemic Strains of Clostridium difficile in the Hamster Model. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2015; 22:711-25. [PMID: 25924765 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00763-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Accepted: 04/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the principal cause of nosocomial diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis associated with antibiotic therapy. Recent increases in the number of outbreaks attributed to highly virulent antibiotic-resistant strains underscore the importance of identifying efficacious alternatives to antibiotics to control this infection. CDI is mediated by two large exotoxins, toxins A and B. Strong humoral toxin-specific immune responses are associated with recovery and a lack of disease recurrence, whereas insufficient humoral responses are associated with recurrent CDI. Multiple approaches targeting these toxins, including intravenous immunoglobulin, neutralizing polymers, active vaccines, and, most recently, monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), have been explored, with various degrees of success. In this study, we describe the characterization of the first MAbs isolated from healthy human donors using a high-throughput B-cell cloning strategy. The MAbs were selected based on their ability to inhibit the actions of toxins A and B in vitro and because of their in vivo efficacy in a hamster challenge model. A potent 2-MAb cocktail was identified and then further potentiated by the addition of a second anti-toxin B MAb. This 3-MAb combination protected animals against mortality and also reduced the severity and duration of diarrhea associated with challenge with highly virulent strains of C. difficile toxinotypes 0 and III. This highly efficacious cocktail consists of one MAb specific to the receptor binding domain of toxin A and two MAbs specific to nonoverlapping regions of the glucosyltransferase domain of toxin B. This MAb combination offers great potential as a nonantibiotic treatment for the prevention of recurrent CDI.
Collapse
|
44
|
Silva ROS, Vilela EG, Neves MS, Lobato FCF. Evaluation of three enzyme immunoassays and a nucleic acid amplification test for the diagnosis of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea at a university hospital in Brazil. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2015; 47:447-50. [PMID: 25229284 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0100-2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2014] [Accepted: 07/31/2014] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite the known importance of Clostridium difficile as a nosocomial pathogen, few studies regarding Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in Brazil have been conducted. To date, the diagnostic tests that are available on the Brazilian market for the diagnosis of CDI have not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to compare the performances of four commercial methods for the diagnosis of CDI in patients from a university hospital in Brazil. METHODS Three enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) and one nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) were evaluated against a cytotoxicity assay (CTA) and toxigenic culture (TC). Stool samples from 92 patients with suspected CDI were used in this study. RESULTS Twenty-five (27.2%) of 92 samples were positive according to the CTA, and 23 (25%) were positive according to the TC. All EIAs and the NAAT test demonstrated sensitivities between 59 and 68% and specificities greater than 91%. CONCLUSIONS All four methods exhibited low sensitivities for the diagnosis of CDI, which could lead to a large number of false-negative results, an increased risk of cross-infection to other patients, and overtreatment with empirical antibiotics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Eduardo Garcia Vilela
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, BRAZIL
| | - Monique Silva Neves
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, BRAZIL
| | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Rapid spread of Clostridium difficile NAP1/027/ST1 in Chile confirms the emergence of the epidemic strain in Latin America. Epidemiol Infect 2015; 143:3069-73. [PMID: 25687254 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268815000023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium difficile infection has gained importance in recent years as a result of the rapid spread of epidemic strains, including hypervirulent strains. This study reports the molecular epidemiology of C. difficile obtained from hospitalized patients in Chile. Seven hundred and nineteen isolates of toxigenic C. difficile from 45 hospitals across the country were characterized through toxin profile, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and sequencing of the tcdC gene. In addition, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) ribotyping and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) were performed on a subset of selected strains. PFGE typing of 719 isolates of C. difficile produced 60 PFGE patterns (subtypes). Subtype 1 was predominant (79% of isolates) and related to the hypervirulent strain (NAP1). Subtype 1 showed 73% relatedness with nine other subtypes, which had a similar tcdC deletion. Subtype 1 corresponded to ribotype 027 and ST1. This report shows the wide dissemination of the hypervirulent strain NAP1/027/ST1 in Chile.
Collapse
|
46
|
Lopardo G, Morfin-Otero R, Moran-Vazquez II, Noriega F, Zambrano B, Luxemburger C, Foglia G, Rivas EE. Epidemiology of Clostridium difficile: a hospital-based descriptive study in Argentina and Mexico. Braz J Infect Dis 2015; 19:8-14. [PMID: 25179510 PMCID: PMC9425260 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjid.2014.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2014] [Revised: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 07/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
A prospective study was conducted in four tertiary hospitals in Argentina and Mexico in order to describe the occurrence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in these settings. The objective was to evaluate the incidence of CDI in at-risk populations in Argentina (one center) and Mexico (three centers) and to further explore potential study sites for vaccine development in this region. A prospective, descriptive, CDI surveillance study was conducted among hospitalized patients aged ≥40 years who had received ≥48 h of antibiotic treatment. Stool samples were collected from those with diarrhea within 30 days after starting antibiotics and analyzed for toxins A and B by ELISA, and positive samples were further tested by toxinogenic culture and restriction endonuclease analysis type assay. Overall, 466 patients were enrolled (193 in Argentina and 273 in Mexico) of whom 414 completed the follow-up. Of these, 15/414 (3.6%) experienced CDI episodes occurring on average 18.1 days after admission to hospital and 15.9 days after the end of antibiotics treatment. The incidence rate of CDI was 3.1 (95% CI 1.7–5.2) per 1000 patient-days during hospitalization, and 1.1 (95% CI 0.6–1.8) per 1000 patient-days during the 30-day follow-up period. This study highlighted the need for further evaluation of the burden of CDI in both countries, including the cases occurring after discharge from hospital.
Collapse
|
47
|
Silva ROS, D'Elia ML, Tostes Teixeira EP, Pereira PLL, de Magalhães Soares DF, Cavalcanti ÁR, Kocuvan A, Rupnik M, Santos ALQ, Junior CAO, Lobato FCF. Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens from wild carnivore species in Brazil. Anaerobe 2014; 28:207-11. [PMID: 24979683 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2014.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2013] [Revised: 06/13/2014] [Accepted: 06/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Despite some case reports, the importance of Clostridium perfringens and Clostridium difficile for wild carnivores remains unclear. Thus, the objective of this study was to identify C. perfringens and C. difficile strains in stool samples from wild carnivore species in Brazil. A total of 34 stool samples were collected and subjected to C. perfringens and C. difficile isolation. Suggestive colonies of C. perfringens were then analyzed for genes encoding the major C. perfringens toxins (alpha, beta, epsilon and iota) and the beta-2 toxin (cpb2), enterotoxin (cpe) and NetB (netb) genes. C. difficile strains were analyzed by multiplex-PCR for toxins A (tcdA) and B (tcdB) and a binary toxin gene (cdtB) and also submitted to a PCR ribotyping. Unthawed aliquots of samples positive for C. difficile isolation were subjected to the detection of A/B toxins by a cytotoxicity assay (CTA). C. perfringens was isolated from 26 samples (76.5%), all of which were genotyped as type A. The netb gene was not detected, whereas the cpb2 and cpe genes were found in nine and three C. perfringens strains, respectively. C. difficile was isolated from two (5.9%) samples. A non-toxigenic strain was recovered from a non-diarrheic maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus). Conversely, a toxigenic strain was found in the sample of a diarrheic ocelot (Leopardus pardallis); an unthawed stool sample was also positive for A/B toxins by CTA, indicating a diagnosis of C. difficile-associated diarrhea in this animal. The present work suggests that wild carnivore species could carry C. difficile strains and that they could be susceptible to C. difficile infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Otávio Silveira Silva
- Veterinary School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Antônio Carlos Avenue, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG 31.270-901, Brazil.
| | - Mirella Lauria D'Elia
- Veterinary School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Antônio Carlos Avenue, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG 31.270-901, Brazil
| | - Erika Procópio Tostes Teixeira
- Veterinary School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Antônio Carlos Avenue, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG 31.270-901, Brazil
| | - Pedro Lúcio Lithg Pereira
- Veterinary School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Antônio Carlos Avenue, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG 31.270-901, Brazil
| | | | - Álvaro Roberto Cavalcanti
- Centro de Reabilitação de Animais Silvestres (CRAS), Desembargador Leão Neto do Carmo Avenue S/N, Quadra 3, Lote 3, Campo Grande, MS 79.031-90, Brazil
| | | | - Maja Rupnik
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Slovenia; National Laboratory for Health, Environment and Food, Maribor, Slovenia; Center of Excellence for Integrated Approaches in Chemistry and Biology of Proteins, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - André Luiz Quagliatto Santos
- Veterinary School, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU), Pará Avenue 1720, Jardim Umuarama, Uberlândia, MG 38.400-902, Brazil
| | - Carlos Augusto Oliveira Junior
- Veterinary School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Antônio Carlos Avenue, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG 31.270-901, Brazil
| | - Francisco Carlos Faria Lobato
- Veterinary School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Antônio Carlos Avenue, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG 31.270-901, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Pires RN, Monteiro AA, Carneiro LC, Baethgen LF, Tavares R, Lincho CS, Park S, Perlin D, Rodrigues Filho EM, Pasqualotto AC. Clostridium difficile infection in Brazil: a neglected problem? Am J Infect Control 2014; 42:459-60. [PMID: 24559593 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2013.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2013] [Revised: 10/15/2013] [Accepted: 10/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The epidemiology of Clostridium difficile infection is virtually unknown in Brazil. In this prospective study, 8.3% of patients with nosocomial diarrhea were found to have toxigenic strains of C difficile in their feces. The relevant risk factors for Clostridium difficile infection were receipt of solid organ transplantation and septic shock.
Collapse
|
49
|
Lim AH, Grafton R, Hetzel DJ, Andrews JM. Clinical audit: recent practice in caring for patients with acute severe colitis compared with published guidelines--is there a problem? Intern Med J 2014; 43:803-9. [PMID: 23176535 DOI: 10.1111/imj.12042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2012] [Accepted: 10/28/2012] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute severe colitis (ASC) is a serious condition with possible outcomes of emergency colectomy and mortality. Validated guidelines exist to help avoid these. AIMS To examine local adherence to guidelines and identify (a) opportunities to improve care and (b) possible barriers to adherence. METHODS Retrospective, hospital-wide audit of all patients with ASC during a 2-year period (2009-2010) at a major metropolitan hospital. Cases were identified by an electronic search of all discharges with International Classification of Diseases-10 codes for colitis, colectomy, ulcerative colitis or Crohn disease. RESULTS Twenty-six patients had 30 ASC admissions (14 female). Most admissions were under gastroenterology (25), 4 (13%) were under general medicine and 1 was under general surgery. Only 8 patients' (26%) management (all under gastroenterology) included all major details: blood investigations, Clostridium difficile test, abdominal X-ray, colonic examination and venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. Only one patient had formal severity scoring on admission, and seven patients (24%) had descriptive severity recorded. On day 3, nine patients (30%) had some recorded severity assessment; however, no formal criteria were used. Four had colectomy, three during first admission and one on re-admission. Of these patients, three received cyclosporine prior to colectomy. The mean duration of admission was 10 days (standard deviation 10.54, range 1-61). CONCLUSION Opportunities to optimise care exist including formal severity assessments on days 1 and 3, better deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism prophylaxis and prompt colonic examination. Admission under teams other than gastroenterology appeared to be a barrier to better care. Despite the low rate of ideal management, the colectomy rate was acceptably low at 20%.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A H Lim
- University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
McCune V, Struthers J, Hawkey P. Faecal transplantation for the treatment of Clostridium difficile infection: a review. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2014; 43:201-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2013.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2013] [Accepted: 10/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
|