1
|
Kunishima H, Ichiki K, Ohge H, Sakamoto F, Sato Y, Suzuki H, Nakamura A, Fujimura S, Matsumoto K, Mikamo H, Mizutani T, Morinaga Y, Mori M, Yamagishi Y, Yoshizawa S. Japanese Society for infection prevention and control guide to Clostridioides difficile infection prevention and control. J Infect Chemother 2024; 30:673-715. [PMID: 38714273 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2024.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Kunishima
- Department of Infectious Diseases. St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Japan.
| | - Kaoru Ichiki
- Department of Infection Control and Prevention, Hyogo Medical University Hospital, Japan
| | - Hiroki Ohge
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan
| | - Fumie Sakamoto
- Quality Improvement and Safety Center, Itabashi Chuo Medical Center, Japan
| | - Yuka Sato
- Department of Infection Control and Nursing, Graduate School of Nursing, Aichi Medical University, Japan
| | - Hiromichi Suzuki
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Tsukuba School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Japan
| | - Atsushi Nakamura
- Department of Infection Prevention and Control, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Japan
| | - Shigeru Fujimura
- Division of Clinical Infectious Diseases and Chemotherapy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Matsumoto
- Division of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, Japan
| | - Hiroshige Mikamo
- Department of Clinical Infectious Diseases, Aichi Medical University, Japan
| | | | - Yoshitomo Morinaga
- Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Japan
| | - Minako Mori
- Department of Infection Control, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan
| | - Yuka Yamagishi
- Department of Clinical Infectious Diseases, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Japan
| | - Sadako Yoshizawa
- Department of Laboratory Medicine/Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Toho University, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
DiCandia MA, Edwards AN, Alcaraz YB, Monteiro MP, Lee CD, Vargas Cuebas G, Bagchi P, McBride SM. A conserved switch controls virulence, sporulation, and motility in C. difficile. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1012224. [PMID: 38739653 PMCID: PMC11115286 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Spore formation is required for environmental survival and transmission of the human enteropathogenic Clostridioides difficile. In all bacterial spore formers, sporulation is regulated through activation of the master response regulator, Spo0A. However, the factors and mechanisms that directly regulate C. difficile Spo0A activity are not defined. In the well-studied Bacillus species, Spo0A is directly inactivated by Spo0E, a small phosphatase. To understand Spo0E function in C. difficile, we created a null mutation of the spo0E ortholog and assessed sporulation and physiology. The spo0E mutant produced significantly more spores, demonstrating Spo0E represses C. difficile sporulation. Unexpectedly, the spo0E mutant also exhibited increased motility and toxin production, and enhanced virulence in animal infections. We uncovered that Spo0E interacts with both Spo0A and the toxin and motility regulator, RstA. Direct interactions between Spo0A, Spo0E, and RstA constitute a previously unknown molecular switch that coordinates sporulation with motility and toxin production. Reinvestigation of Spo0E function in B. subtilis revealed that Spo0E induced motility, demonstrating Spo0E regulation of motility and sporulation among divergent species. Further, 3D structural analyses of Spo0E revealed specific and exclusive interactions between Spo0E and binding partners in C. difficile and B. subtilis that provide insight into the conservation of this regulatory mechanism among different species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael A. DiCandia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Adrianne N. Edwards
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Ysabella B. Alcaraz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Marcos P. Monteiro
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Cheyenne D. Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Germán Vargas Cuebas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Pritha Bagchi
- Emory Integrated Proteomics Core, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Shonna M. McBride
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Snydman DR, McDermott LA, Thorpe CM, Goldstein EJC, Schuetz AN, Johnson S, Gerding DN, Gluck L, Bourdas D, Carroll KC, Lancaster CK, Garey KW, Wang Q, Walk ST, Duperchy E. A US-based national surveillance study for the susceptibility and epidemiology of Clostridioides difficile isolates with special reference to ridinilazole: 2020-2021. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0034923. [PMID: 37728368 PMCID: PMC10583687 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00349-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
We have previously reported on the susceptibility and epidemiology of Clostridioides difficile isolates from six geographically dispersed medical centers in the United States. This current survey was conducted with isolates collected in 2020-2021 from six geographically dispersed medical centers in the United States, with specific attention to susceptibility to ridinilazole as well as nine comparators. C. difficile isolates or stools from patients with C. difficile antibiotic-associated diarrhea were collected and referred to a central laboratory. After species confirmation of 300 isolates at the central laboratory, antibiotic susceptibilities were determined by the agar dilution method [M11-A9, Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)] against the 10 agents. Ribotyping was performed by PCR capillary gel electrophoresis on all isolates. Ridinilazole had a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) 90 of 0.25 mcg/mL, and no isolate had an MIC greater than 0.5 mcg/mL. In comparison, fidaxomicin had an MIC 90 of 0.5 mcg/mL. The vancomycin MIC 90 was 2 mcg/mL with a 0.7% resistance rate [both CLSI and European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) criteria]. The metronidazole MIC 90 was 1 mcg/mL, with none resistant by CLSI criteria, and a 0.3% resistance rate by EUCAST criteria. Among the 50 different ribotypes isolated in the survey, the most common ribotype was 014-020 (14.0%) followed by 106 (10.3%), 027 (10%), 002 (8%), and 078-126 (4.3%). Ridinilazole maintained activity against all ribotypes and all strains resistant to any other agent tested. Ridinilazole showed excellent in vitro activity against C. difficile isolates collected between 2020 and 2021 in the United States, independent of ribotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D. R. Snydman
- Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Tufts University School of Medicine and the Stuart B. Levy Center for the Integrated Management of Antimicrobial Resistance, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - L. A. McDermott
- Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Tufts University School of Medicine and the Stuart B. Levy Center for the Integrated Management of Antimicrobial Resistance, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - C. M. Thorpe
- Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Tufts University School of Medicine and the Stuart B. Levy Center for the Integrated Management of Antimicrobial Resistance, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - A. N. Schuetz
- Mayo Clinic School of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - S. Johnson
- Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, Illinois, USA
- Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | | | - L. Gluck
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - D. Bourdas
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - K. C. Carroll
- University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | - K. W. Garey
- Summit (Oxford) Ltd, Abingdon, United Kingdom
| | - Q. Wang
- Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA
| | - S. T. Walk
- Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA
| | - E. Duperchy
- Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
DiCandia MA, Edwards AN, Lee CD, Monteiro MP, Cuebas GNV, Bagchi P, McBride SM. A Conserved Switch Controls Virulence, Sporulation, and Motility in C. difficile. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.28.534590. [PMID: 37034656 PMCID: PMC10081167 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.28.534590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Spore formation is required for environmental survival and transmission of the human enteropathogenic Clostridioides difficile . In all bacterial spore formers, sporulation is regulated through activation of the master response regulator, Spo0A. However, the factors and mechanisms that directly regulate C. difficile Spo0A activity are not defined. In the well-studied Bacillus species, Spo0A is directly inactivated by Spo0E, a small phosphatase. To understand Spo0E function in C. difficile , we created a null mutation of the spo0E ortholog and assessed sporulation and physiology. The spo0E mutant produced significantly more spores, demonstrating Spo0E represses C. difficile sporulation. Unexpectedly, the spo0E mutant also exhibited increased motility and toxin production, and enhanced virulence in animal infections. We uncovered that Spo0E interacts with both Spo0A and the toxin and motility regulator, RstA. Direct interactions between Spo0A, Spo0E, and RstA constitute a previously unknown molecular switch that coordinates sporulation with motility and toxin production. Reinvestigation of Spo0E function in B. subtilis revealed that Spo0E induced motility, demonstrating Spo0E regulation of motility and sporulation among divergent species. Further, we found that Spo0E orthologs are widespread among prokaryotes, suggesting that Spo0E performs conserved regulatory functions in diverse bacteria.
Collapse
|
5
|
Bhattacharjee D, Flores C, Woelfel-Monsivais C, Seekatz AM. Diversity and Prevalence of Clostridium innocuum in the Human Gut Microbiota. mSphere 2023; 8:e0056922. [PMID: 36541771 PMCID: PMC9942572 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00569-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridia are a polyphyletic group of Gram-positive, spore-forming anaerobes in the Firmicutes phylum that significantly impact metabolism and functioning of the human gastrointestinal tract. Recently, Clostridia were divided into two separate classes, Clostridia and Erysipelotrichia, based on phenotypic and 16S rRNA gene-based differences. While Clostridia include many well-known pathogenic bacteria, Erysipelotrichia remain relatively uncharacterized, particularly regarding their role as a pathogen versus commensal. Despite wide recognition as a commensal, the erysipelotrichial species Clostridium innocuum has recently been associated with various disease states. To further understand the ecological and potential virulent role of C. innocuum, we conducted a genomic comparison across 38 C. innocuum isolates and 194 publicly available genomes. Based on colony morphology, we isolated multiple C. innocuum cultivars from the feces of healthy human volunteers (n = 5). Comparison of the 16S rRNA gene of our isolates against publicly available microbiota data sets in healthy individuals suggests a high prevalence of C. innocuum across the human population (>80%). Analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across core genes and average nucleotide identify (ANI) revealed the presence of four clades among all available genomes (n = 232 total). Investigation of carbohydrate and protein utilization pathways, including comparison against the carbohydrate-activating enzyme (CAZyme) database, demonstrated inter- and intraclade differences that were further substantiated in vitro. Collectively, these data indicate genetic variance within the C. innocuum species that may help clarify its role in human disease and health. IMPORTANCE Clostridia are a group of medically important anaerobes as both commensals and pathogens. Recently, a new class of Erysipelotrichia containing a number of reassigned clostridial species has emerged, including Clostridium innocuum. Recent studies have implicated C. innocuum as a potential causative agent of diarrhea in patients from whom Clostridioides difficile could not be isolated. Using genomic and in vitro comparison, this study sought to characterize C. innocuum in the healthy human gut. Our analyses suggest that C. innocuum is a highly prevalent and diverse species, demonstrating clade-specific differences in metabolism and potential virulence. Collectively, this study is the first investigation into a broader description of C. innocuum as a human gut inhabitant.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Disha Bhattacharjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Clara Flores
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | | | - Anna M. Seekatz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kunishima H, Ohge H, Suzuki H, Nakamura A, Matsumoto K, Mikamo H, Mori N, Morinaga Y, Yanagihara K, Yamagishi Y, Yoshizawa S. Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile infection. J Infect Chemother 2022; 28:1045-1083. [PMID: 35618618 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2021.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Kunishima
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Japan.
| | - Hiroki Ohge
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan
| | - Hiromichi Suzuki
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Tsukuba Medical Center Hospital, Japan
| | - Atsushi Nakamura
- Division of Infection Control and Prevention, Nagoya City University Hospital, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Matsumoto
- Division of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, Japan
| | - Hiroshige Mikamo
- Clinical Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, Aichi Medical University, Japan
| | - Nobuaki Mori
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Japan
| | - Yoshitomo Morinaga
- Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Japan
| | - Katsunori Yanagihara
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Japan
| | - Yuka Yamagishi
- Clinical Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, Aichi Medical University, Japan
| | - Sadako Yoshizawa
- Department of Clinical Laboratory/Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Toho University School of Medicine, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Vidhyeswari D, Surendhar A, Bhuvaneshwari S. Enhanced performance of novel carbon nanotubes - sulfonated poly ether ether ketone (speek) composite proton exchange membrane in mfc application. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 293:133560. [PMID: 35026204 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Sulfonated poly ether ether ketone (SPEEK) nanocomposite proton exchange membrane (PEM) was prepared by incorporating multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) at different weight percentages for microbial fuel cell (MFC) applications. Physico-chemical, thermal, mechanical and morphological characteristics of the prepared CNT-SPEEK composite membranes were analyzed using various techniques. Further, the water uptake capacity, Ion exchange capacity (IEC) and MFC performance of the CNT-SPEEK composite membranes were evaluated and compared with the pristine SPEEK membrane. Results show that incorporation of CNTs in SPEEK membranes exhibited a better water uptake capacity (34.18%-36.02%) and IEC (1.94-2.15 meq/g) compared to the SPEEK membrane. Improvement in membrane properties resulted in 2-fold higher power density compared to SPEEK membrane. Composite membrane with 0.75% CNT-SPEEK produced the higher power density (1.77 W/m2) in comparison with all the membranes evaluated. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency values of the MFC with SPEEK composite membranes were also found to be around 90%. Overall, the results reveal that CNT-SPEEK composite membrane as a potential PEM for MFC applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Vidhyeswari
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut, 673601, India.
| | - A Surendhar
- Department of Food Technology, TKM Institute of Technology, Kollam, India.
| | - S Bhuvaneshwari
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut, 673601, India.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Trzilova D, Warren MAH, Gadda NC, Williams CL, Tamayo R. Flagellum and toxin phase variation impacts intestinal colonization and disease development in a mouse model of Clostridioides difficile infection. Gut Microbes 2022; 14:2038854. [PMID: 35192433 PMCID: PMC8890394 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2022.2038854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile is a major nosocomial pathogen that can cause severe, toxin-mediated diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis. Recent work has shown that C. difficile exhibits heterogeneity in swimming motility and toxin production in vitro through phase variation by site-specific DNA recombination. The recombinase RecV reversibly inverts the flagellar switch sequence upstream of the flgB operon, leading to the ON/OFF expression of flagellum and toxin genes. How this phenomenon impacts C. difficile virulence in vivo remains unknown. We identified mutations in the right inverted repeat that reduced or prevented flagellar switch inversion by RecV. We introduced these mutations into C. difficile R20291 to create strains with the flagellar switch "locked" in either the ON or OFF orientation. These mutants exhibited a loss of flagellum and toxin phase variation during growth in vitro, yielding precisely modified mutants suitable for assessing virulence in vivo. In a hamster model of acute C. difficile infection, the phase-locked ON mutant caused greater toxin accumulation than the phase-locked OFF mutant but did not differ significantly in the ability to cause acute disease symptoms. In contrast, in a mouse model, preventing flagellum and toxin phase variation affected the ability of C. difficile to colonize the intestinal tract and to elicit weight loss, which is attributable to differences in toxin production during infection. These results show that the ability of C. difficile to phase vary flagella and toxins influences colonization and disease development and suggest that the phenotypic variants generated by flagellar switch inversion have distinct capacities for causing disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dominika Trzilova
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Mercedes A. H. Warren
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Nicole C. Gadda
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Caitlin L. Williams
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Rita Tamayo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Romo JA, Kumamoto CA. Characterization of the Effects of Candida Gastrointestinal Colonization on Clostridioides difficile Infection in a Murine Model. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2542:271-285. [PMID: 36008672 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2549-1_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The role of fungal colonizers of the gastrointestinal tract during disease states is not well understood. Antibiotic treatment renders patients highly susceptible to infection by the bacterial pathogen C. difficile while also leading to blooms in fungal commensals, setting the stage for trans-kingdom interactions. Here, we describe a murine model of Candida gastrointestinal colonization coupled to a C. difficile infection (CDI) model, the measurement of CFU of both organisms, and collection of cecum and colon contents for the purpose of quantifying C. difficile toxin production. Additionally, we describe how to induce and purify C. difficile spores.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jesús A Romo
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carol A Kumamoto
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ahn SW, Lee SH, Kim UJ, Jang HC, Choi HJ, Choy HE, Kang SJ, Roh SW. Genomic characterization of nine Clostridioides difficile strains isolated from Korean patients with Clostridioides difficile infection. Gut Pathog 2021; 13:55. [PMID: 34530913 PMCID: PMC8447795 DOI: 10.1186/s13099-021-00451-3] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is an infectious nosocomial disease caused by Clostridioides difficile, an opportunistic pathogen that occurs in the intestine after extensive antibiotic regimens. Results Nine C. difficile strains (CBA7201–CBA7209) were isolated from nine patients diagnosed with CDI at the national university hospital in Korea, and the whole genomes of these strains were sequenced to identify their genomic characteristics. Comparative genomic analysis was performed using 51 reference strains and the nine isolated herein. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences confirmed that all 60 C. difficile strains belong to the genus Clostridioides, while core-genome tree indicated that they were divided into five groups, which was consistent with the results of MLST clade analysis. All strains were confirmed to have a clindamycin antibiotic resistance gene, but the other antibiotic resistance genes differ depending on the MLST clade. Interestingly, the six strains belonging to the sequence type 17 among the nine C. difficile strains isolated here exhibited unique genomic characteristics for PaLoc and CdtLoc, the two toxin gene loci identified in this study, and harbored similar antibiotic resistance genes. Conclusion In this study, we identified the specific genomic characteristics of Korean C. difficile strains, which could serve as basic information for CDI prevention and treatment in Korea. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13099-021-00451-3.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seung Woo Ahn
- Microbiology and Functionality Research Group, World Institute of Kimchi, 86, Kimchi-ro, Nam-gu, 61755, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Se Hee Lee
- Microbiology and Functionality Research Group, World Institute of Kimchi, 86, Kimchi-ro, Nam-gu, 61755, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Uh Jin Kim
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Chonnam National University Hospital, 61469, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Chang Jang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Chonnam National University Hospital, 61469, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hak-Jong Choi
- Microbiology and Functionality Research Group, World Institute of Kimchi, 86, Kimchi-ro, Nam-gu, 61755, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyon E Choy
- Department of Microbiology, Chonnam National University Medical School, 61469, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Ji Kang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Chonnam National University Hospital, 61469, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
| | - Seong Woon Roh
- Microbiology and Functionality Research Group, World Institute of Kimchi, 86, Kimchi-ro, Nam-gu, 61755, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Nehanda S, Mulundu G, Kelly P. Prevalence of Clostridium difficile and its toxins in hospital patients with diarrhoeal diseases in Lusaka, Zambia. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2021; 114:86-90. [PMID: 31608956 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trz074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has emerged as an important nosocomial and antibiotic-associated diarrhoeal problem leading to increasing morbidity and mortality, especially in resource-privileged regions. CDI varies in incidence, pathogenicity and risk factors across geographical locations, yet little information is available on CDI in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Clostridium difficile and related toxin expression in stool specimens from patients with diarrhoeal disease at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia. METHODS Between June and September 2017, patients presenting with acute or persistent diarrhoea provided stool samples that were cultured anaerobically on cycloserine cefoxitin fructose agar. Isolates were identified by Gram staining, C. difficile latex agglutination and confirmed by PCR targeting of the tpi housekeeping gene. Toxins A or B were detected by ELISA. RESULTS Of 135 participants enrolled, 13 (10%) were C. difficile positive, of which four (31%) were toxigenic by ELISA. Among HIV-positive and HIV-negative participants, the frequency of culturable C. difficile (19% vs 12%; p=0.17) and of toxigenic isolates (15% vs 0%, p=0.19) did not differ. CONCLUSIONS We can now revise previous research and confirm that CDI contributes to diarrhoea among hospitalised adult patients irrespective of HIV status.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shepherd Nehanda
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Tropical Diseases Research Centre, Ndola, Zambia
| | - Gina Mulundu
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Paul Kelly
- TROPGAN, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Nationalist Road, Lusaka, Zambia.,Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Martins D, DiCandia MA, Mendes AL, Wetzel D, McBride SM, Henriques AO, Serrano M. CD25890, a conserved protein that modulates sporulation initiation in Clostridioides difficile. Sci Rep 2021; 11:7887. [PMID: 33846410 PMCID: PMC8041843 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86878-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria that reside in the gastrointestinal tract of healthy humans are essential for our health, sustenance and well-being. About 50-60% of those bacteria have the ability to produce resilient spores that are important for the life cycle in the gut and for host-to-host transmission. A genomic signature for sporulation in the human intestine was recently described, which spans both commensals and pathogens such as Clostridioides difficile and contains several genes of unknown function. We report on the characterization of a signature gene, CD25890, which, as we show is involved in the control of sporulation initiation in C. difficile under certain nutritional conditions. Spo0A is the main regulatory protein controlling entry into sporulation and we show that an in-frame deletion of CD25890 results in increased expression of spo0A per cell and increased sporulation. The effect of CD25890 on spo0A is likely indirect and mediated through repression of the sinRR´ operon. Deletion of the CD25890 gene, however, does not alter the expression of the genes coding for the cytotoxins or the genes involved in biofilm formation. Our results suggest that CD25890 acts to modulate sporulation in response to the nutrients present in the environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diogo Martins
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química E Biológica António Xavier, Avenida da República, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Michael A DiCandia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Aristides L Mendes
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química E Biológica António Xavier, Avenida da República, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Daniela Wetzel
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shonna M McBride
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Adriano O Henriques
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química E Biológica António Xavier, Avenida da República, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Mónica Serrano
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química E Biológica António Xavier, Avenida da República, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Lyerly DM, Boone JH, Carman RJ, Tillotson GS. Clostridioides difficile Infection: The Challenge, Tests, and Guidelines. ACS Infect Dis 2020; 6:2818-2829. [PMID: 32960044 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile is a dangerous human pathogen because it can grow to high numbers in the intestine, cause colitis with its potent toxins, and persist as spores. C. difficile infection (CDI) is the primary hospital-acquired infection in North America and Europe, and it now is a global disease. Even with newer laboratory tests, there still is confusion on accurately diagnosing this disease. Three guidelines from three different healthcare-affiliated societies have recently been published. Consensus consolidated recommendations from these guidelines should be recognized by healthcare professionals, who need to understand why this disease continues to be difficult to diagnose and need a clear understanding of the advantages and limitations of current tests. Hopefully, these combined efforts will lead to an improvement in the recognition of this pathogen and a reduction in the suffering and economic loss caused by CDI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David M Lyerly
- TechLab, Inc., 2001 Kraft Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24060, United States
| | - James H Boone
- TechLab, Inc., 2001 Kraft Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24060, United States
| | - Robert J Carman
- TechLab, Inc., 2001 Kraft Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24060, United States
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Aging Dampens the Intestinal Innate Immune Response during Severe Clostridioides difficile Infection and Is Associated with Altered Cytokine Levels and Granulocyte Mobilization. Infect Immun 2020; 88:IAI.00960-19. [PMID: 32284366 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00960-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides (formerly Clostridium) difficile is the most common cause of hospital-acquired infection, and advanced age is a risk factor for C. difficile infection. Disruption of the intestinal microbiota and immune responses contribute to host susceptibility and severity of C. difficile infection. However, the specific impact of aging on immune responses during C. difficile infection remains to be well described. This study explores the effect of age on cellular and cytokine immune responses during C. difficile infection. Young mice (2 to 3 months old) and aged mice (22 to 28 months old) were rendered susceptible to C. difficile infection with the antibiotic cefoperazone and then infected with C. difficile strains with varied disease-causing potentials. We observe that the host age and the infecting C. difficile strain influenced the severity of disease associated with infection. Tissue-specific CD45+ immune cell responses occurred at the time of peak disease severity in the ceca and colons of all mice infected with a high-virulence strain of C. difficile; however, significant deficits in intestinal neutrophils and eosinophils were detected in aged mice, with a corresponding decrease in circulating CXCL1, an important neutrophil recruiter and activator. Interestingly, this lack of intestinal granulocyte response in aged mice during severe C. difficile infection was accompanied by a simultaneous increase in circulating white blood cells, granulocytes, and interleukin 17A (IL-17A). These findings demonstrate that age-related alterations in neutrophils and eosinophils and systemic cytokine and chemokine responses are associated with severe C. difficile infection and support a key role for intestinal eosinophils in mitigating C. difficile-mediated disease severity.
Collapse
|
15
|
Lall S, Nataraj G, Mehta P. Use of culture- and ELISA-based toxin assay for detecting Clostridium Difficile, a neglected pathogen: A single-center study from a tertiary care setting. J Lab Physicians 2020; 9:254-259. [PMID: 28966486 PMCID: PMC5607753 DOI: 10.4103/jlp.jlp_157_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Clostridium difficile is a Gram-positive spore-bearing anaerobic bacillus increasingly associated with both community- and hospital-acquired colitis and diarrhea. It is the most common identifiable bacterial cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea associated with antibiotic use and one of the most common anaerobic infections. The diagnosis of C. difficile infection includes detection of toxin A/B in stool specimens by direct enzyme immunoassay, culture of pathogen from the stool specimens using a selective agar Cycloserine-Cefoxitin fructose agar (CCFA), tissue culture assay, and detection of glutamate dehydrogenase an enzyme produced by C. difficile. With few reports from India on this disease, the present study was planned to throw more light on the prevalence and utility of laboratory diagnostic methods for C. difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: After taking approval from the Ethics Committee, 150 patients with antibiotic-associated diarrhea were taken as a study group and fifty patients with exposure to antibiotics but who did not develop diarrhea were taken as controls. Stool specimen was processed for both culture on CCFA and toxin detection by IVD Tox A + B ELISA. RESULTS: Only four specimens were culture positive, whereas 13 were ELISA positive. All culture-positive isolates were toxigenic. C. difficile was neither isolated nor its toxin detected in the control group. Culture- and toxin-based assays may not detect all cases of CDAD. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of the present study, culture does not provide any additional yield over toxin assay. Better diagnostic modalities would be required to prove CDAD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sujata Lall
- Department of Microbiology, Seth GSMC and KEMH, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Gita Nataraj
- Department of Microbiology, Seth GSMC and KEMH, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Preeti Mehta
- Department of Microbiology, Seth GSMC and KEMH, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
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
|
17
|
Approaches to the detection of Clostridioides difficile in the healthcare environment. J Hosp Infect 2019; 103:375-381. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2019.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
|
18
|
Garrett EM, Sekulovic O, Wetzel D, Jones JB, Edwards AN, Vargas-Cuebas G, McBride SM, Tamayo R. Phase variation of a signal transduction system controls Clostridioides difficile colony morphology, motility, and virulence. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e3000379. [PMID: 31658249 PMCID: PMC6837544 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent work has revealed that Clostridioides difficile, a major cause of nosocomial diarrheal disease, exhibits phenotypic heterogeneity within a clonal population as a result of phase variation. Many C. difficile strains representing multiple ribotypes develop two colony morphotypes, termed rough and smooth, but the biological implications of this phenomenon have not been explored. Here, we examine the molecular basis and physiological relevance of the distinct colony morphotypes produced by this bacterium. We show that C. difficile reversibly differentiates into rough and smooth colony morphologies and that bacteria derived from the isolates display discrete motility behaviors. We identified an atypical phase-variable signal transduction system consisting of a histidine kinase and two response regulators, named herein colony morphology regulators RST (CmrRST), which mediates the switch in colony morphology and motility behaviors. The CmrRST-regulated surface motility is independent of flagella and type IV pili, suggesting a novel mechanism of cell migration in C. difficile. Microscopic analysis of cell and colony structure indicates that CmrRST promotes the formation of elongated bacteria arranged in bundled chains, which may contribute to bacterial migration on surfaces. In a hamster model of acute C. difficile disease, the CmrRST system is required for disease development. Furthermore, we provide evidence that CmrRST phase varies during infection, suggesting that the intestinal environment impacts the proportion of CmrRST-expressing C. difficile. Our findings indicate that C. difficile employs phase variation of the CmrRST signal transduction system to generate phenotypic heterogeneity during infection, with concomitant effects on bacterial physiology and pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M. Garrett
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Ognjen Sekulovic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Daniela Wetzel
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Rollins Research Center, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Joshua B. Jones
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Rollins Research Center, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Adrianne N. Edwards
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Rollins Research Center, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Germán Vargas-Cuebas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Rollins Research Center, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Shonna M. McBride
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Rollins Research Center, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Rita Tamayo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile (formerly Clostridium) is a major cause of healthcare associated diarrhea, and is increasingly present in the community. Historically, C difficile infection was considered easy to diagnose and treat. Over the past two decades, however, diagnostic techniques have changed in line with a greater understanding of the physiopathology of C difficile infection and the use of new therapeutic molecules. The evolution of diagnosis showed there was an important under- and misdiagnosis of C difficile infection, emphasizing the importance of algorithms recommended by European and North American infectious diseases societies to obtain a reliable diagnosis. Previously, metronidazole was considered the reference drug to treat C difficile infection, but more recently vancomycin and other newer drugs are shown to have higher cure rates. Recurrence of infection represents a key parameter in the evaluation of new drugs, and the challenge is to target the right population with the adapted therapeutic molecule. In multiple recurrences, fecal microbiota transplantation is recommended. New approaches, including antibodies, vaccines, and new molecules are already available or in the pipeline, but more data are needed to support the inclusion of these in practice guidelines. This review aims to provide a baseline for clinicians to understand and stratify their choice in the diagnosis and treatment of C difficile infection based on the most recent data available.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benoit Guery
- Infectious Diseases Service, Department of Medicine, University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- French Group of Faecal Microbiota Transplantation
- European Study Group on Host and Microbiota Interactions
- European Study Group on Clostridium difficile
| | - Tatiana Galperine
- Infectious Diseases Service, Department of Medicine, University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- French Group of Faecal Microbiota Transplantation
| | - Frédéric Barbut
- National Reference Laboratory for Clostridium difficile, Paris, France
- INSERM, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
- European Study Group on Clostridium difficile
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
U.S.-Based National Surveillance for Fidaxomicin Susceptibility of Clostridioides difficile-Associated Diarrheal Isolates from 2013 to 2016. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2019; 63:AAC.00391-19. [PMID: 31085514 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00391-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2011, we initiated a sentinel surveillance network to assess changes in Clostridioides (formerly Clostridium) difficile antimicrobial susceptibility to fidaxomicin from 6 geographically dispersed medical centers in the United States. This report summarizes data from 2013 to 2016. C. difficile isolates or toxin-positive stools from patients were referred to a central laboratory. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by agar dilution. CLSI, EUCAST, or FDA breakpoints were used, where applicable. Toxin gene profiles were characterized by multiplex PCR on each isolate. A random sample of approximately 40% of isolates, stratified by institution and year, was typed by restriction endonuclease analysis (REA). Among 1,889 isolates from 2013 to 2016, the fidaxomicin MIC90 was 0.5 μg/ml; all isolates were inhibited at ≤1 μg/ml. There were decreases in metronidazole and vancomycin MICs over time. Clindamycin resistance remained unchanged (27.3%). An increase in imipenem resistance was observed. By 2015 to 2016, moxifloxacin resistance decreased in all centers. The proportion of BI isolates decreased from 25.5% in 2011 to 2012 to 12.8% in 2015 to 2016 (P < 0.001). The BI REA group correlated with moxifloxacin resistance (BI 84% resistant versus non-BI 12.5% resistant). Fidaxomicin MICs have not changed among C. difficile isolates of U.S. origin over 5 years post licensure. There has been an overall decrease in MICs for vancomycin, metronidazole, moxifloxacin, and rifampin and an increase in isolates resistant to imipenem. Moxifloxacin resistance remained high among the BI REA group, but the proportion of BI isolates has decreased. Continued geographic variations in REA groups and antimicrobial resistance persist.
Collapse
|
21
|
Mileto S, Das A, Lyras D. Enterotoxic Clostridia: Clostridioides difficile Infections. Microbiol Spectr 2019; 7:10.1128/microbiolspec.gpp3-0015-2018. [PMID: 31124432 PMCID: PMC11026080 DOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.gpp3-0015-2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile is a Gram-positive, anaerobic, spore forming pathogen of both humans and animals and is the most common identifiable infectious agent of nosocomial antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Infection can occur following the ingestion and germination of spores, often concurrently with a disruption to the gastrointestinal microbiota, with the resulting disease presenting as a spectrum, ranging from mild and self-limiting diarrhea to severe diarrhea that may progress to life-threating syndromes that include toxic megacolon and pseudomembranous colitis. Disease is induced through the activity of the C. difficile toxins TcdA and TcdB, both of which disrupt the Rho family of GTPases in host cells, causing cell rounding and death and leading to fluid loss and diarrhea. These toxins, despite their functional and structural similarity, do not contribute to disease equally. C. difficile infection (CDI) is made more complex by a high level of strain diversity and the emergence of epidemic strains, including ribotype 027-strains which induce more severe disease in patients. With the changing epidemiology of CDI, our understanding of C. difficile disease, diagnosis, and pathogenesis continues to evolve. This article provides an overview of the current diagnostic tests available for CDI, strain typing, the major toxins C. difficile produces and their mode of action, the host immune response to each toxin and during infection, animal models of disease, and the current treatment and prevention strategies for CDI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Mileto
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia, 3800
| | - A Das
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia, 3800
| | - D Lyras
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia, 3800
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Leslie JL, Vendrov KC, Jenior ML, Young VB. The Gut Microbiota Is Associated with Clearance of Clostridium difficile Infection Independent of Adaptive Immunity. mSphere 2019; 4:e00698-18. [PMID: 30700514 PMCID: PMC6354811 DOI: 10.1128/mspheredirect.00698-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium (Clostridioides) difficile, a Gram-positive, anaerobic bacterium, is the leading single cause of nosocomial infections in the United States. A major risk factor for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is prior exposure to antibiotics, as they increase susceptibility to CDI by altering the membership of the microbial community enabling colonization. The importance of the gut microbiota in providing protection from CDI is underscored by the reported 80 to 90% success rate of fecal microbial transplants in treating recurrent infections. Adaptive immunity, specifically humoral immunity, is also sufficient to protect from both acute and recurrent CDI. However, the role of the adaptive immune system in mediating clearance of C. difficile has yet to be resolved. Using murine models of CDI, we found that adaptive immunity is dispensable for clearance of C. difficile However, random forest analysis using only two members of the resident bacterial community correctly identified animals that would go on to clear the infection with 66.7% accuracy. These findings indicate that the indigenous gut microbiota independent of adaptive immunity facilitates clearance of C. difficile from the murine gastrointestinal tract.IMPORTANCEClostridium difficile infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients in the United States. Currently, the role of the adaptive immune response in modulating levels of C. difficile colonization is unresolved. This work suggests that the indigenous gut microbiota is a main factor that promotes clearance of C. difficile from the GI tract. Our results show that clearance of C. difficile can occur without contributions from the adaptive immune response. This study also has implications for the design of preclinical studies testing the efficacy of vaccines on clearance of bacterial pathogens, as inherent differences in the baseline community structure of animals may bias findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jhansi L Leslie
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Kimberly C Vendrov
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Matthew L Jenior
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Vincent B Young
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Snydman DR, McDermott LA, Thorpe CM, Chang J, Wick J, Walk ST, Vickers RJ. Antimicrobial susceptibility and ribotypes of Clostridium difficile isolates from a Phase 2 clinical trial of ridinilazole (SMT19969) and vancomycin. J Antimicrob Chemother 2018; 73:2078-2084. [PMID: 29718329 PMCID: PMC6054158 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dky135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives We evaluated the antimicrobial susceptibility and ribotypes of Clostridium difficile isolates from participants in a Phase 2 study of ridinilazole, a novel targeted-spectrum agent for treatment of C. difficile infection. Methods Participants received ridinilazole (200 mg twice daily) or vancomycin (125 mg four times daily) for 10 days (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02092935). The MICs of ridinilazole and comparators for C. difficile isolates from stool samples were determined by agar dilution. Toxin gene profiling was performed by multiplex PCR and ribotype identification by capillary electrophoresis. Results Eighty-nine isolates were recovered from 88/100 participants (one participant had two strains at baseline). The median colony count (cfu/g stool) was 1.9 × 104 (range: 2.5 × 102-7.0 × 106). Twelve participants (three received ridinilazole and nine received vancomycin) experienced recurrence, confirmed by immunoassays for free toxin in stool samples. The ribotype of eight out of nine isolates obtained at recurrence matched those of the initial isolates. All isolates, including those obtained at recurrence, were susceptible to ridinilazole within the expected range [median (range) MIC: 0.12 (0.06-0.5) mg/L]. The median (range) vancomycin MIC was 1 (0.5-4.0) mg/L. At baseline, 13.6% and 13.3% of samples in the ridinilazole and vancomycin groups were positive for VRE, increasing to 23.7% and 29.7% by day 40, respectively. Common ribotypes included 014-20 (14 isolates), 027 (13), 106 (7), 002 (7), 078-126 (4), 001 (4), 087 (3) and 198 (3). Toxin gene profiling of nearly all baseline isolates (98.9%) revealed a binary toxin gene (cdtA/cdtB) prevalence of 35%. Conclusions Ridinilazole potently inhibited recovered C. difficile isolates. Recurrence was not associated with altered susceptibility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David R Snydman
- Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases and Department of Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Laura A McDermott
- Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases and Department of Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cheleste M Thorpe
- Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases and Department of Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Justin Chang
- Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases and Department of Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jenna Wick
- Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases and Department of Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Seth T Walk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Dong Y, Liu Y, Chen N, Zhong Y, Liu L, Xie Q. Clostridium beihaiense sp. nov., an anaerobic bacterium isolated from activated sludge. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2018; 68:2789-2793. [PMID: 30028283 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.002885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A Gram-positive, strictly anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterium, designated YB-7T, was isolated from activated sludge of an anaerobic baffled reactor pond in Weizhou terminal wastewater treatment plant, Beihai, Guangxi, China. Strain YB-7T grew at pH 5.0-12.0 (optimum, pH 7.0), 20-45 °C (37 °C) and NaCl concentration of 0-5 % w/v (optimum, 5 %). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis results showed that strain YB-7T belonged to the genus Clostridium and it was most closely related to Clostridium tetanomorphum DSM 4474T (96.9 % similarity). The DNA-DNA relatedness of strain YB-7T to Clostridium tetanomorphum DSM 4474T was 47.4 %. The DNA G+C content of strain YB-7T was determined to be 32.3 mol%, and the predominant cellar fatty acid (>10 %) was C16 : 0. Polar lipids of strain YB-7T included diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, two unidentified aminophospholipids, two unidentified phospholipids and unidentified lipids. The results of this study supported the conclusion that strain YB-7T should be assigned to a new member of the genus Clostridium, for which the name Clostridium beihaiense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YB-7T (=CICC 24109T=KCTC 15555T).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Dong
- 1College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, PR China
| | - Yuhui Liu
- 1College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, PR China
| | - Nanchun Chen
- 2College of Materials Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, PR China
| | - Yijian Zhong
- 1College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, PR China.,3The Guangxi Key Laboratory of Theory and Technology for Environmental Pollution Control, Guilin 541004, PR China
| | - Li Liu
- 4Hezhou University, Hezhou 542899, PR China
| | - Qinglin Xie
- 4Hezhou University, Hezhou 542899, PR China.,1College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Gateau C, Couturier J, Coia J, Barbut F. How to: diagnose infection caused by Clostridium difficile. Clin Microbiol Infect 2018; 24:463-468. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2017.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2017] [Revised: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
|
26
|
Nawrocki KL, Wetzel D, Jones JB, Woods EC, McBride SM. Ethanolamine is a valuable nutrient source that impacts Clostridium difficile pathogenesis. Environ Microbiol 2018; 20:1419-1435. [PMID: 29349925 PMCID: PMC5903940 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Revised: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Clostridium (Clostridioides) difficile is a gastrointestinal pathogen that colonizes the intestinal tract of mammals and can cause severe diarrheal disease. Although C. difficile growth is confined to the intestinal tract, our understanding of the specific metabolites and host factors that are important for the growth of the bacterium is limited. In other enteric pathogens, the membrane-derived metabolite, ethanolamine (EA), is utilized as a nutrient source and can function as a signal to initiate the production of virulence factors. In this study, we investigated the effects of ethanolamine and the role of the predicted ethanolamine gene cluster (CD1907-CD1925) on C. difficile growth. Using targeted mutagenesis, we disrupted genes within the eut cluster and assessed their roles in ethanolamine utilization, and the impact of eut disruption on the outcome of infection in a hamster model of disease. Our results indicate that the eut gene cluster is required for the growth of C. difficile on ethanolamine as a primary nutrient source. Further, the inability to utilize ethanolamine resulted in greater virulence and a shorter time to morbidity in the animal model. Overall, these data suggest that ethanolamine is an important nutrient source within the host and that, in contrast to other intestinal pathogens, the metabolism of ethanolamine by C. difficile can delay the onset of disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn L. Nawrocki
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Daniela Wetzel
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Joshua B. Jones
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Emily C. Woods
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shonna M. McBride
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Abstract
This study was to optimize the detection methods for Clostridium difficile from the animal manure-based composts. Both autoclaved and unautoclaved dairy composts were inoculated with a 12-h old suspension of a non-toxigenic C. difficile strain (ATCC 43593) and then plated on selected agar for vegetative cells and endospores. Six types of enrichment broths supplemented with taurocholate and l-cysteine were assessed for detecting a low level of artificially inoculated C. difficile (ca. 5 spores/g) from dairy composts. The efficacy of selected enrichment broths was further evaluated by isolating C. difficile from 29 commercial compost samples. Our results revealed that using heat-shock was more effective than using ethanol-shock for inducing endospore germination, and the highest endospore count (p < 0.05) was yielded at 60 °C for 25 min. C. difficile agar base, supplemented with 0.1% l-cysteine, 7% defibrinated horse blood, and cycloserine-cefoxitin (CDA-CYS-H-CC agar) was the best medium (p < 0.05) for recovering vegetative cells from compost. C. difficile endospore populations from both types of composts enumerated on both CDA-CYS-H-CC agar supplemented with 0.1% sodium taurocholate (CDA-CYS-H-CC-T agar) and brain heart infusion agar supplemented with 0.5% yeast extract, 0.1% l-cysteine, cycloserine-cefoxitin, and 0.1% sodium taurocholate (BHIA-YE-CYS-CC-T agar) media were not significantly different from each other (p > 0.05). Overall, enrichment of inoculated compost samples in broths containing moxalactam-norfloxacin (MN) produced significantly higher (p < 0.05) spore counts than in non-selective broths or broths supplemented with CC. Enrichment in BHIB-YE-CYS-MN-T broth followed by culturing on an agar containing 7% horse blood and 0.1% taurocholate provided a more sensitive and selective combination of media for detecting a low population of C. difficile from environmental samples with high background microflora.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muthu Dharmasena
- Department of Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
| | - Xiuping Jiang
- Department of Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Yun B, Song M, Park DJ, Oh S. Beneficial Effect of Bifidobacterium longum ATCC 15707 on Survival Rate of Clostridium difficile Infection in Mice. Korean J Food Sci Anim Resour 2017; 37:368-375. [PMID: 28747822 PMCID: PMC5516063 DOI: 10.5851/kosfa.2017.37.3.368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Revised: 04/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the main cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea that can cause colitis or even death. The medical-treatment cost and deaths caused by CDI are increasing annually worldwide. New approaches for prevention and treatment of these infections are needed, such as the use of probiotics. Probiotics, including Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus, are microorganisms that confer a health benefit to the host when administered in adequate amounts. The effect of Bifidobacterium longum ATCC 15707 on infectious disease caused by C. difficile 027 was investigated in a mouse model. The survival rates for mice given the pathogen alone, and with live cells, or dead cells of B. longum were 40, 70, and 60%, respectively. In addition, the intestinal tissues of the B. longum-treated group maintained structural integrity with some degree of damage. These findings suggested that B. longum ATCC 15707 has a function in repressing the infectious disease caused by C. difficile 027.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bohyun Yun
- Microbial Safety Team, Agro-Food Safety & Crop Protection Department, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju 55365, Korea
| | - Minyu Song
- Animal Products Research and Development Division, National Institute of Animal Science, RDA, Wanju 55365, Korea
| | | | - Sejong Oh
- Division of Animal Science, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Shrestha R, Lockless SW, Sorg JA. A Clostridium difficile alanine racemase affects spore germination and accommodates serine as a substrate. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:10735-10742. [PMID: 28487371 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.791749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2017] [Revised: 05/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium difficile has become one of the most common bacterial pathogens in hospital-acquired infections in the United States. Although C. difficile is strictly anaerobic, it survives in aerobic environments and transmits between hosts via spores. C. difficile spore germination is triggered in response to certain bile acids and glycine. Although glycine is the most effective co-germinant, other amino acids can substitute with varying efficiencies. Of these, l-alanine is an effective co-germinant and is also a germinant for most bacterial spores. Many endospore-forming bacteria embed alanine racemases into their spore coats, and these enzymes are thought to convert the l-alanine germinant into d-alanine, a spore germination inhibitor. Although the C. difficile Alr2 racemase is the sixth most highly expressed gene during C. difficile spore formation, a previous study reported that Alr2 has little to no role in germination of C. difficile spores in rich medium. Here, we hypothesized that Alr2 could affect C. difficile l-alanine-induced spore germination in a defined medium. We found that alr2 mutant spores more readily germinate in response to l-alanine as a co-germinant. Surprisingly, d-alanine also functioned as a co-germinant. Moreover, we found that Alr2 could interconvert l- and d-serine and that Alr2 bound to l- and d-serine with ∼2-fold weaker affinity to that of l- and d-alanine. Finally, we demonstrate that l- and d-serine are also co-germinants for C. difficile spores. These results suggest that C. difficile spores can respond to a diverse set of amino acid co-germinants and reveal that Alr2 can accommodate serine as a substrate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ritu Shrestha
- From the Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843
| | - Steve W Lockless
- From the Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843
| | - Joseph A Sorg
- From the Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Genome Sequence of a Toxin-Positive Clostridium difficile Strain Isolated from Murine Feces. GENOME ANNOUNCEMENTS 2017; 5:5/14/e00088-17. [PMID: 28385835 PMCID: PMC5383883 DOI: 10.1128/genomea.00088-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we report the genome sequence of a Clostridium difficile strain isolated from the feces of antibiotic-treated C57BL/6 mice. We have named this strain, which differs considerably from those of the previously sequenced C. difficile strains, LEM1.
Collapse
|
31
|
Reigadas E, Alcalá L, Marín M, Martín A, Bouza E. C. difficile PCR-ribotype 023 might go undetected when using ChromId C. difficile agar. Anaerobe 2017; 44:34-35. [PMID: 28108388 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2017.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Revised: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
We compared the performance of the new chromogenic medium ChromID C. difficile with that of CLO agar. ChromID C. difficile agar is a sensitive medium that can accelerate the presumptive identification of C. difficile, however ribotype 023 might go undetected when using this chromogenic medium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Reigadas
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain; Medicine Department, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.
| | - L Alcalá
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES CB06/06/0058), Madrid, Spain
| | - M Marín
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain; Medicine Department, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES CB06/06/0058), Madrid, Spain
| | - A Martín
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - E Bouza
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain; Medicine Department, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES CB06/06/0058), Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Winston JA, Thanissery R, Montgomery SA, Theriot CM. Cefoperazone-treated Mouse Model of Clinically-relevant Clostridium difficile Strain R20291. J Vis Exp 2016. [PMID: 28060346 DOI: 10.3791/54850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium difficile is an anaerobic, gram-positive, spore-forming enteric pathogen that is associated with increasing morbidity and mortality and consequently poses an urgent threat to public health. Recurrence of a C. difficile infection (CDI) after successful treatment with antibiotics is high, occurring in 20-30% of patients, thus necessitating the discovery of novel therapeutics against this pathogen. Current animal models of CDI result in high mortality rates and thus do not approximate the chronic, insidious disease manifestations seen in humans with CDI. To evaluate therapeutics against C. difficile, a mouse model approximating human disease utilizing a clinically-relevant strain is needed. This protocol outlines the cefoperazone mouse model of CDI using a clinically-relevant and genetically-tractable strain, R20291. Techniques for clinical disease monitoring, C. difficile bacterial enumeration, toxin cytotoxicity, and histopathological changes throughout CDI in a mouse model are detailed in the protocol. Compared to other mouse models of CDI, this model is not uniformly lethal at the dose administered, allowing for the observation of a prolonged clinical course of infection concordant with the human disease. Therefore, this cefoperazone mouse model of CDI proves a valuable experimental platform to assess the effects of novel therapeutics on the amelioration of clinical disease and on the restoration of colonization resistance against C. difficile.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jenessa A Winston
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine
| | - Rajani Thanissery
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine
| | - Stephanie A Montgomery
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine
| | - Casey M Theriot
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine;
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Fast and Inexpensive Detection of Bacterial Viability and Drug Effectiveness through Metabolic Monitoring. SENSORS 2016; 16:s16111879. [PMID: 27834850 PMCID: PMC5134538 DOI: 10.3390/s16111879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Revised: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 10/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Conventional methods for the detection of bacterial infection such as DNA or immunoassays are expensive, time consuming, or not definitive and thus may not provide all the information sought by medical professionals. In particular, it is difficult to obtain information about viability or drug effectiveness, which is crucial to formulate a treatment. Bacterial culture tests are the “gold standard” because they are inexpensive and do not require extensive sample preparation, and most importantly, provide all the necessary information sought by healthcare professionals, such as bacterial presence, viability and drug effectiveness. These conventional culture methods, however, have a long turnaround time, anywhere between 1 day and 4 weeks. Here, we solve this problem by monitoring the growth of bacteria in thousands of nanowells simultaneously to more quickly identify their presence in the sample and their viability. The segmentation of a sample with low bacterial concentration into thousands of nanoliter wells digitizes the samples and increases the effective concentration in those wells that contain bacteria. We monitor the metabolism of aerobic bacteria by using an oxygen-sensitive fluorophore, ruthenium tris (2,2’-diprydl) dichloride hexahydrate (RTDP), which allows us to monitor the dissolved oxygen concentration in the nanowells. Using E. coli K12 as a model pathogen, we demonstrate that the detection time of E. coli can be as fast as 35–60 min with sample concentrations varying from 104 (62 min for detection), 106 (42 min) and 108 cells/mL (38 min). More importantly, we also demonstrate that reducing the well size can reduce the detection time. Finally we show that drug effectiveness information can be obtained in this format by loading the wells with the drug and monitoring the metabolism of the bacteria. The method that we have developed is low cost, simple, requires minimal sample preparation and can potentially be used with a wide variety of samples in a resource-poor setting to detect bacterial infections such as tuberculosis.
Collapse
|
34
|
Serrano M, Kint N, Pereira FC, Saujet L, Boudry P, Dupuy B, Henriques AO, Martin-Verstraete I. A Recombination Directionality Factor Controls the Cell Type-Specific Activation of σK and the Fidelity of Spore Development in Clostridium difficile. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1006312. [PMID: 27631621 PMCID: PMC5025042 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 08/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The strict anaerobe Clostridium difficile is the most common cause of nosocomial diarrhea, and the oxygen-resistant spores that it forms have a central role in the infectious cycle. The late stages of sporulation require the mother cell regulatory protein σK. In Bacillus subtilis, the onset of σK activity requires both excision of a prophage-like element (skinBs) inserted in the sigK gene and proteolytical removal of an inhibitory pro-sequence. Importantly, the rearrangement is restricted to the mother cell because the skinBs recombinase is produced specifically in this cell. In C. difficile, σK lacks a pro-sequence but a skinCd element is present. The product of the skinCd gene CD1231 shares similarity with large serine recombinases. We show that CD1231 is necessary for sporulation and skinCd excision. However, contrary to B. subtilis, expression of CD1231 is observed in vegetative cells and in both sporangial compartments. Nevertheless, we show that skinCd excision is under the control of mother cell regulatory proteins σE and SpoIIID. We then demonstrate that σE and SpoIIID control the expression of the skinCd gene CD1234, and that this gene is required for sporulation and skinCd excision. CD1231 and CD1234 appear to interact and both proteins are required for skinCd excision while only CD1231 is necessary for skinCd integration. Thus, CD1234 is a recombination directionality factor that delays and restricts skinCd excision to the terminal mother cell. Finally, while the skinCd element is not essential for sporulation, deletion of skinCd results in premature activity of σK and in spores with altered surface layers. Thus, skinCd excision is a key element controlling the onset of σK activity and the fidelity of spore development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Serrano
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Nicolas Kint
- Laboratoire Pathogénese des Bactéries Anaérobies, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- University Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Fátima C. Pereira
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Laure Saujet
- Laboratoire Pathogénese des Bactéries Anaérobies, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- University Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Boudry
- Laboratoire Pathogénese des Bactéries Anaérobies, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- University Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Bruno Dupuy
- Laboratoire Pathogénese des Bactéries Anaérobies, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- University Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Adriano O. Henriques
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
- * E-mail: (AOH); (IMV)
| | - Isabelle Martin-Verstraete
- Laboratoire Pathogénese des Bactéries Anaérobies, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- University Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
- * E-mail: (AOH); (IMV)
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Chen S, Gu H, Sun C, Wang H, Wang J. Rapid detection of Clostridium difficile toxins and laboratory diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infections. Infection 2016; 45:255-262. [PMID: 27601055 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-016-0940-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Accepted: 08/11/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clostridium difficile is an anaerobic, spore-forming and Gram-positive bacillus. It is the major cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea prevailing in hospital settings. The morbidity and mortality of C. difficile infection (CDI) has increased significantly due to the emergence of hypervirulent strains. Because of the poor clinical different between CDI and other causes of hospital-acquired diarrhea, laboratory test for C. difficile is an important intervention for diagnosis of CDI. OBJECTIVE Laboratory tests for CDI can broadly detect either the organisms or its toxins. Currently, several laboratory tests are used for diagnosis of CDI, including toxigenic culture, glutamate dehydrogenase detection, nucleic acid amplification testing, cell cytotoxicity assay, and enzyme immunoassay towards toxin A and/or B. This review focuses on the rapid testing of C. difficile toxins and currently available methods for diagnosis of CDI, giving an overview of the role that the toxins rapid detecting plays in clinical diagnosis of CDI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuyi Chen
- School of Bioscience and Bioengineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huawei Gu
- School of Bioscience and Bioengineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chunli Sun
- School of Bioscience and Bioengineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haiying Wang
- School of Bioscience and Bioengineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jufang Wang
- School of Bioscience and Bioengineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Murad YM, Perez J, Ybazeta G, Mavin S, Lefebvre S, Weese JS, Rousseau J, Diaz-Mitoma F, Nokhbeh R. False Negative Results in Clostridium difficile Testing. BMC Infect Dis 2016; 16:430. [PMID: 27543102 PMCID: PMC4992222 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-016-1741-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Accurate diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is paramount for patient management. The wrong diagnosis places patients at risk, delays treatment, and/ or contributes to transmission of infection in the healthcare setting. Although amplification of the toxin B gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a sensitive method for detecting toxigenic C. difficile, false negative results still occur and could impact the diagnosis and treatment of this infection. Methods This study investigated 48 patients that tested negative for toxigenic C. difficile via GeneXpert C. difficile epi test, while simultaneously testing positive for toxigenic C. difficile via stool culture. Fifty discrepant samples were collected over a 15-month period and all C. difficile isolates were characterized by ribotype. Patient charts were reviewed to assess whether discrepant results impacted the treatment course or clinical outcome of affected patients. Results Fifty samples of a total of 2308 samples tested in an acute healthcare facility over a 15-month period had negative PCR and positive stool culture for toxigenic C. difficile. C. difficile isolated from the discrepant samples resulted in diverse ribotyping patterns suggesting they were derived from different strains. The samples belonged to patients who were distributed evenly between age groups and wards in the hospital. In the majority of cases, the false negative C. difficile test results did not seem to impact the clinical outcome in these patients. Conclusions The PCR limit of detection may impact the results of molecular methods for C. difficile detection. Both clinical and analytical sensitivity of C. difficile tests should be considered when deciding which diagnostic assay to use, and clinical correlates should be examined carefully before excluding CDI as a cause of disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanal M Murad
- Current Address: Advanced Medical Research Institute of Canada, 41 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON, P3E 5J1, Canada. .,Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada.
| | - Justo Perez
- Current Address: Advanced Medical Research Institute of Canada, 41 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON, P3E 5J1, Canada
| | - Gustavo Ybazeta
- Current Address: Advanced Medical Research Institute of Canada, 41 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON, P3E 5J1, Canada
| | - Sarah Mavin
- Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - Sebastien Lefebvre
- Current Address: Advanced Medical Research Institute of Canada, 41 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON, P3E 5J1, Canada
| | - J Scott Weese
- Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Joyce Rousseau
- Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Francisco Diaz-Mitoma
- Current Address: Advanced Medical Research Institute of Canada, 41 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON, P3E 5J1, Canada.,Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada.,Health Sciences North, 41 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 5J1, Canada
| | - Reza Nokhbeh
- Current Address: Advanced Medical Research Institute of Canada, 41 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON, P3E 5J1, Canada. .,Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Lawson PA, Citron DM, Tyrrell KL, Finegold SM. Reclassification of Clostridium difficile as Clostridioides difficile (Hall and O’Toole 1935) Prévot 1938. Anaerobe 2016; 40:95-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2016.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 386] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
|
38
|
Abstract
Clostridium difficile is a confirmed pathogen in a wide variety of mammals, but the incidence of disease varies greatly in relation to host species, age, environmental density of spores, administration of antibiotics, and possibly, other factors. Lesions vary as well, in severity and distribution within individuals, and in some instances, age groups, of a given species. The cecum and colon are principally affected in most species, but foals and rabbits develop severe jejunal lesions. Explanations for variable susceptibility of species, and age groups within a species, are largely speculative. Differences in colonization rates and toxin-receptor densities have been proposed. Clostridium difficile-associated disease is most commonly diagnosed in Syrian hamsters, horses, and neonatal pigs, but it is reported sporadically in many other species. The essential virulence factors of C. difficile are large exotoxins, toxin A (TcdA) and toxin B (TcdB). Receptor-mediated endocytosis of the toxins is followed by endosomal acidification, a necessary step for conversion of the toxin to its active form in the cytosol. Cell-surface receptors have been characterized for TcdA, but remain to be identified for TcdB. Both TcdA and TcdB disrupt the actin cytoskeleton by disrupting Rho-subtype, intracellular signaling molecules. Disruption of the actin cytoskeleton is catastrophic for cellular function, but inflammation and neurogenic stimuli are also involved in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M K Keel
- The University of Arizona, Department of Veterinary Sciences and Microbiology, Building #90, Room 212, 1117 East Lowell St., Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Keel MK, Songer JG. The Distribution and Density of Clostridium difficile Toxin Receptors on the Intestinal Mucosa of Neonatal Pigs. Vet Pathol 2016; 44:814-22. [DOI: 10.1354/vp.44-6-814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Clostridium difficile is an enteric pathogen affecting a variety of mammals, but it has only recently been diagnosed as a cause of neonatal typhlocolitis in pigs. The most important virulence factors of C. difficile are 2 large exotoxins, toxin A (TcdA) and toxin B (TcdB). TcdA is a potent enterotoxin with effects on host tissues that are dependent upon receptor-mediated endocytosis of the intact toxin. TcdB is an effective cytotoxin, but it apparently does not bind receptors on intact mucosal epithelium. TcdB is much less toxic in vivo unless there is underlying damage to the mucosa, and it is not essential for the virulence of C. difficile. One hypothesis to explain the resistance of most species as neonates (e.g., humans and hamsters) is that they may lack significant numbers of TcdA receptors. The susceptibility of neonatal pigs suggests cells of the gastrointestinal mucosa express sufficient numbers of toxin receptors for lesion development. Immunohistochemical (IHC) assays documented specific binding of TcdA, but not TcdB, to the epithelium of the small and large intestine. The carbohydrate Galα1–3/β1–4GlcNAc-R has been described as an important receptor for TcdA. However, IHC indicated a distribution on cell surfaces much different from that of TcdA binding, suggesting a specific interaction of toxin with an alternative receptor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M. K. Keel
- The University of Arizona, Department of Veterinary Sciences and Microbiology, Tucson, AZ
| | - J. G. Songer
- The University of Arizona, Department of Veterinary Sciences and Microbiology, Tucson, AZ
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Cherifi S, Delmee M, Van Broeck J, Beyer I, Byl B, Mascart G. Management of an Outbreak ofClostridium difficile–Associated Disease Among Geriatric Patients. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016; 27:1200-5. [PMID: 17080377 DOI: 10.1086/507822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2005] [Accepted: 08/31/2005] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Objective.To describe a nosocomial outbreak ofClostridium difficile–associated disease (CDAD).Design.A traditional outbreak investigation.Setting.Geriatric department of a tertiary care teaching hospital from March through April 2003.Methods.The outbreak was detected by theC. difficilesurveillance program of the infection control unit. CDAD was diagnosed by stool culture and fecal toxin A detection with a qualitative rapid immunoassay. Isolates ofC difficilewere serotyped and genotyped using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.Results.The incidence of CDAD increased from 27 cases per 100,000 patient-days in the 6-month period before the outbreak to 99 cases per 100,000 patient-days during the outbreak. This outbreak involved 21 of 92 patients in 4 geriatric wards, which were located at 2 geographically distinct sites and staffed by the same medical team. The mean age of patients was 83 years (range, 71-100 years). Five (24%) of the 21 patients had community-acquired diarrhea, and secondary hospital transmission resulted in 3 clusters involving 16 patients. Serotyping and genotyping were performed on isolates in stool specimens from 19 different patients; 16 of these isolates were serotype A1, whereas 3 displayed profiles different from the outbreak strain. Management of this outbreak consisted in reinforcement of contact isolation precautions for patients with diarrhea, cohorting of infected patients in the same ward, and promotion of hand hygiene. Relapses occurred in 6 (29%) of 21 patients.Conclusion.Control of this rapidly developing outbreak of CDAD was obtained with early implementation of cohorting and ward closure and reinforcement of environmental disinfection, hand hygiene, and enteric isolation precautions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Cherifi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Brugmann University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Húngaro HM, Caturla MY, Horita CN, Furtado MM, Sant'Ana AS. Blown pack spoilage in vacuum-packaged meat: A review on clostridia as causative agents, sources, detection methods, contributing factors and mitigation strategies. Trends Food Sci Technol 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2016.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
|
42
|
Rodriguez C, Warszawski N, Korsak N, Taminiau B, Van Broeck J, Delmée M, Daube G. Laboratory identification of anaerobic bacteria isolated on Clostridium difficile selective medium. Acta Microbiol Immunol Hung 2016; 63:171-84. [PMID: 27352971 DOI: 10.1556/030.63.2016.2.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite increasing interest in the bacterium, the methodology for Clostridium difficile recovery has not yet been standardized. Cycloserine-cefoxitin fructose taurocholate (CCFT) has historically been the most used medium for C. difficile isolation from human, animal, environmental, and food samples, and presumptive identification is usually based on colony morphologies. However, CCFT is not totally selective. This study describes the recovery of 24 bacteria species belonging to 10 different genera other than C. difficile, present in the environment and foods of a retirement establishment that were not inhibited in the C. difficile selective medium. These findings provide insight for further environmental and food studies as well as for the isolation of C. difficile on supplemented CCFT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Rodriguez
- Food Science Department, FARAH, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège , Liège, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Warszawski
- Food Science Department, FARAH, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège , Liège, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Korsak
- Food Science Department, FARAH, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège , Liège, Belgium
| | - Bernard Taminiau
- Food Science Department, FARAH, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège , Liège, Belgium
| | - Johan Van Broeck
- Belgian Reference Centre for Clostridium difficile (NRC), Pôle de microbiologiemédicale, UniversitéCatholique de Louvain , Brussels, Belgium
| | - Michel Delmée
- Belgian Reference Centre for Clostridium difficile (NRC), Pôle de microbiologiemédicale, UniversitéCatholique de Louvain , Brussels, Belgium
| | - Georges Daube
- Food Science Department, FARAH, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège , Liège, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
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
|
44
|
Sasahara T, Ae R, Watanabe M, Kimura Y, Yonekawa C, Hayashi S, Morisawa Y. Contamination of healthcare workers' hands with bacterial spores. J Infect Chemother 2016; 22:521-5. [PMID: 27236515 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2016.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Revised: 04/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Clostridium species and Bacillus spp. are spore-forming bacteria that cause hospital infections. The spores from these bacteria are transmitted from patient to patient via healthcare workers' hands. Although alcohol-based hand rubbing is an important hand hygiene practice, it is ineffective against bacterial spores. Therefore, healthcare workers should wash their hands with soap when they are contaminated with spores. However, the extent of health care worker hand contamination remains unclear. The aim of this study is to determine the level of bacterial spore contamination on healthcare workers' hands. The hands of 71 healthcare workers were evaluated for bacterial spore contamination. Spores attached to subject's hands were quantitatively examined after 9 working hours. The relationship between bacterial spore contamination and hand hygiene behaviors was also analyzed. Bacterial spores were detected on the hands of 54 subjects (76.1%). The mean number of spores detected was 468.3 CFU/hand (maximum: 3300 CFU/hand). Thirty-seven (52.1%) and 36 (50.7%) subjects were contaminated with Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus, respectively. Nineteen subjects (26.8%) were contaminated with both Bacillus species. Clostridium difficile was detected on only one subject's hands. There was a significant negative correlation between the hand contamination level and the frequency of handwashing (r = -0.44, P < 0.01) and a significant positive correlation between the hand contamination level and the elapsed time since last handwashing (r = 0.34, P < 0.01). Healthcare workers' hands may be frequently contaminated with bacterial spores due to insufficient handwashing during daily patient care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teppei Sasahara
- Department of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan; Center for Infectious Diseases, Jichi Medical University Hospital, Tochigi, Japan.
| | - Ryusuke Ae
- Division of Public Health, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Michiyo Watanabe
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Jichi Medical University Hospital, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Yumiko Kimura
- Division of Microbiology Laboratory, Jichi Medical University Hospital, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Chikara Yonekawa
- Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Shunji Hayashi
- Division of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Kitasato University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yuji Morisawa
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Jichi Medical University Hospital, Tochigi, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
The Clostridium difficile Dlt Pathway Is Controlled by the Extracytoplasmic Function Sigma Factor σV in Response to Lysozyme. Infect Immun 2016; 84:1902-1916. [PMID: 27068095 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00207-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium difficile (also known as Peptoclostridium difficile) is a major nosocomial pathogen and a leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea throughout the world. Colonization of the intestinal tract is necessary for C. difficile to cause disease. Host-produced antimicrobial proteins (AMPs), such as lysozyme, are present in the intestinal tract and can deter colonization by many bacterial pathogens, and yet C. difficile is able to survive in the colon in the presence of these AMPs. Our prior studies established that the Dlt pathway, which increases the surface charge of the bacterium by addition of d-alanine to teichoic acids, is important for C. difficile resistance to a variety of AMPs. We sought to determine what genetic mechanisms regulate expression of the Dlt pathway. In this study, we show that a dlt null mutant is severely attenuated for growth in lysozyme and that expression of the dltDABC operon is induced in response to lysozyme. Moreover, we found that a mutant lacking the extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factor σ(V) does not induce dlt expression in response to lysozyme, indicating that σ(V) is required for regulation of lysozyme-dependent d-alanylation of the cell wall. Using reporter gene fusions and 5' RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA ends) analysis, we identified promoter elements necessary for lysozyme-dependent and lysozyme-independent dlt expression. In addition, we observed that both a sigV mutant and a dlt mutant are more virulent in a hamster model of infection. These findings demonstrate that cell wall d-alanylation in C. difficile is induced by lysozyme in a σ(V)-dependent manner and that this pathway impacts virulence in vivo.
Collapse
|
46
|
Edwards AN, Tamayo R, McBride SM. A novel regulator controls Clostridium difficile sporulation, motility and toxin production. Mol Microbiol 2016; 100:954-71. [PMID: 26915493 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Clostridium difficile is an anaerobic pathogen that forms spores which promote survival in the environment and transmission to new hosts. The regulatory pathways by which C. difficile initiates spore formation are poorly understood. We identified two factors with limited similarity to the Rap sporulation proteins of other spore-forming bacteria. In this study, we show that disruption of the gene CD3668 reduces sporulation and increases toxin production and motility. This mutant was more virulent and exhibited increased toxin gene expression in the hamster model of infection. Based on these phenotypes, we have renamed this locus rstA, for regulator of sporulation and toxins. Our data demonstrate that RstA is a bifunctional protein that upregulates sporulation through an unidentified pathway and represses motility and toxin production by influencing sigD transcription. Conserved RstA orthologs are present in other pathogenic and industrial Clostridium species and may represent a key regulatory protein controlling clostridial sporulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adrianne N Edwards
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Rita Tamayo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Shonna M McBride
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Avila MB, Avila NP, Dupont AW. Recent Advances in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Clostridium Difficile Infection. F1000Res 2016; 5. [PMID: 26918176 PMCID: PMC4755406 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.7109.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has become the most frequently reported health care-associated infection in the United States [1]. As the incidence of CDI rises, so too does the burden it produces on health care and society. In an attempt to decrease the burden of CDI and provide the best outcomes for patients affected by CDI, there have been many recent advancements in the understanding, diagnosis, and management of CDI. In this article, we review the current recommendations regarding CDI testing and treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meera B Avila
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Nathaniel P Avila
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Andrew W Dupont
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Gerding DN, File TM, McDonald LC. Diagnosis and Treatment of Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI). INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN CLINICAL PRACTICE 2016; 24:3-10. [PMID: 29348706 PMCID: PMC5769958 DOI: 10.1097/ipc.0000000000000350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Early and accurate diagnosis is essential for optimal treatment of individuals with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and for implementation of effective infection control procedures. The decision about which diagnostic test to use is an important one that should be based on test sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value. The challenges of CDI go beyond rapid identification and management of symptomatic patients. Asymptomatic carriage has long been suspected in C. difficile transmission, but it may play a larger role than previously thought. Emerging information also shows that patients treated for CDI remain colonized for many weeks after symptom resolution. In fact, stool culture positivity increases during the first weeks following treatment completion. Treatments that reduce the duration and degree of asymptomatic shedding could have added benefit for reduced transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dale N. Gerding
- Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital, Hines, IL
- Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Thomas M. File
- Division of Infectious Disease, Summa Health System, Akron, OH
- Infectious Disease Section, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH
| | - L. Clifford McDonald
- Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Abstract
The ability for the obligate anaerobe, Clostridium difficile to form a metabolically dormant spore is critical for the survival of this organism outside of the host. This spore form is resistant to a myriad of environmental stresses, including heat, desiccation, and exposure to disinfectants and antimicrobials. These intrinsic properties of spores allow C. difficile to survive long-term in an oxygenated environment, to be easily transmitted from host-to-host, and to persist within the host following antibiotic treatment. Because of the importance of the spore form to the C. difficile life cycle and treatment and prevention of C. difficile infection (CDI), the isolation and purification of spores are necessary to study the mechanisms of sporulation and germination, investigate spore properties and resistances, and for use in animal models of CDI. Here we provide basic protocols, in vitro growth conditions, and additional considerations for purifying C. difficile spores for a variety of downstream applications.
Collapse
|
50
|
U.S.-Based National Sentinel Surveillance Study for the Epidemiology of Clostridium difficile-Associated Diarrheal Isolates and Their Susceptibility to Fidaxomicin. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2015; 59:6437-43. [PMID: 26239985 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00845-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2015] [Accepted: 07/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2011 a surveillance study for the susceptibility to fidaxomicin and epidemiology of Clostridium difficile isolates in the United States was undertaken in seven geographically dispersed medical centers. This report encompasses baseline surveillance in 2011 and 2012 on 925 isolates. A convenience sample of C. difficile isolates or toxin positive stools from patients were referred to a central laboratory. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by agar dilution (CLSI M11-A8). Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), Food and Drug Administration, or European Union of Clinical Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) breakpoints were applied where applicable. Toxin gene profiles were characterized by multiplex PCR on each isolate. A random sample of 322 strains, stratified by institution, underwent restriction endonuclease analysis (REA). The fidaxomicin MIC90 was 0.5 μg/ml for all isolates regardless of REA type or toxin gene profile, and all isolates were inhibited at ≤1.0 μg/ml. By REA typing, BI strains represented 25.5% of the isolates. The toxin gene profile of tcdA, tcdB, and cdtA/B positive with a tcdC 18-bp deletion correlated with BI REA group. Moxifloxacin and clindamycin resistance was increased among either BI or binary toxin-positive isolates. Metronidazole and vancomycin showed reduced susceptibility (EUCAST criteria) in these isolates. Geographic variations in susceptibility, REA group and binary toxin gene presence were observed. Fidaxomicin activity against C. difficile isolated in a national surveillance study did not change more than 1 year after licensure. This analysis provides baseline results for future comparisons.
Collapse
|