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Herrera G, Castañeda S, Arboleda JC, Pérez-Jaramillo JE, Patarroyo MA, Ramírez JD, Muñoz M. Metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) suggest an acetate-driven protective role in gut microbiota disrupted by Clostridioides difficile. Microbiol Res 2024; 285:127739. [PMID: 38763016 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile may have a negative impact on gut microbiota composition in terms of diversity and abundance, thereby triggering functional changes supported by the differential presence of genes involved in significant metabolic pathways, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). This work has evaluated shotgun metagenomics data regarding 48 samples from four groups classified according to diarrhea acquisition site (community- and healthcare facility-onset) and positive or negative Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) result. The metagenomic-assembled genomes (MAGs) obtained from each sample were taxonomically assigned for preliminary comparative analysis concerning differences in composition among groups. The predicted genes involved in metabolism, transport, and signaling remained constant in microbiota members; characteristic patterns were observed in MAGs and genes involved in SCFA butyrate and acetate metabolic pathways for each study group. A decrease in genera and species, as well as relative MAG abundance with the presence of the acetate metabolism-related gene, was evident in the HCFO/- group. Increased antibiotic resistance markers (ARM) were observed in MAGs along with the genes involved in acetate metabolism. The results highlight the need to explore the role of acetate in greater depth as a potential protector of the imbalances produced by CDI, as occurs in other inflammatory intestinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanny Herrera
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Sergio Castañeda
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan Camilo Arboleda
- Unidad de Bioprospección and Estudio de Microbiomas, Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales (PECET), Sede de Investigación Universitaria, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia; Semillero de Investigación en Bioinformática - GenomeSeq, Seccional Oriente, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia; Grupo de Fundamentos y Enseñanza de la Física y las Sistemas Dinámicas, Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Juan E Pérez-Jaramillo
- Unidad de Bioprospección and Estudio de Microbiomas, Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales (PECET), Sede de Investigación Universitaria, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia; Semillero de Investigación en Bioinformática - GenomeSeq, Seccional Oriente, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Manuel Alfonso Patarroyo
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá, Colombia; Microbiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá D.C. 111321, Colombia; Health Sciences Faculty, Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas y Ambientales (U.D.C.A), Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia; Molecular Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Marina Muñoz
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia; Instituto de Biotecnología-UN (IBUN), Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia.
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2
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Liu C, Wu H, Li K, Chi Y, Wu Z, Xing C. Identification of biomarkers for abdominal aortic aneurysm in Behçet's disease via mendelian randomization and integrated bioinformatics analyses. J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e18398. [PMID: 38785203 PMCID: PMC11117452 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Behçet's disease (BD) is a complex autoimmune disorder impacting several organ systems. Although the involvement of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in BD is rare, it can be associated with severe consequences. In the present study, we identified diagnostic biomarkers in patients with BD having AAA. Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was initially used to explore the potential causal association between BD and AAA. The Limma package, WGCNA, PPI and machine learning algorithms were employed to identify potential diagnostic genes. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) for the nomogram was constructed to ascertain the diagnostic value of AAA in patients with BD. Finally, immune cell infiltration analyses and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) were conducted. The MR analysis indicated a suggestive association between BD and the risk of AAA (odds ratio [OR]: 1.0384, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0081-1.0696, p = 0.0126). Three hub genes (CD247, CD2 and CCR7) were identified using the integrated bioinformatics analyses, which were subsequently utilised to construct a nomogram (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.982, 95% CI: 0.944-1.000). Finally, the immune cell infiltration assay revealed that dysregulation immune cells were positively correlated with the three hub genes. Our MR analyses revealed a higher susceptibility of patients with BD to AAA. We used a systematic approach to identify three potential hub genes (CD247, CD2 and CCR7) and developed a nomogram to assist in the diagnosis of AAA among patients with BD. In addition, immune cell infiltration analysis indicated the dysregulation in immune cell proportions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunjiang Liu
- Department of General SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Huadong Wu
- Department of vascular surgeryFirst affiliated Hospital of Huzhou UniversityHuzhouChina
| | - Kuan Li
- Department of General SurgeryKunshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese MedicineKunshanChina
| | - Yongxing Chi
- Department of General SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Zhaoying Wu
- Department of General SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Chungen Xing
- Department of General SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
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Ghosh S, Erickson D, Chua MJ, Collins J, Jala VR. The microbial metabolite urolithin A reduces Clostridioides difficile toxin expression and toxin-induced epithelial damage. mSystems 2024; 9:e0125523. [PMID: 38193707 PMCID: PMC10878087 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01255-23] [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: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile is a Gram-positive, anaerobic, spore-forming bacterium responsible for antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis. Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) symptoms can range from diarrhea to life-threatening colon damage. Toxins produced by C. difficile (TcdA and TcdB) cause intestinal epithelial injury and lead to severe gut barrier dysfunction, stem cell damage, and impaired regeneration of the gut epithelium. Current treatment options for intestinal repair are limited. In this study, we demonstrate that treatment with the microbial metabolite urolithin A (UroA) attenuates CDI-induced adverse effects on the colon epithelium in a preclinical model of CDI-induced colitis. Moreover, our analysis suggests that UroA treatment protects against C. difficile-induced inflammation, disruption of gut barrier integrity, and intestinal tight junction proteins in the colon of CDI mice. Importantly, UroA treatment significantly reduced the expression and release of toxins from C. difficile without inducing bacterial cell death. These results indicate the direct regulatory effects of UroA on bacterial gene regulation. Overall, our findings reveal a novel aspect of UroA activity, as it appears to act at both the bacterial and host levels to protect against CDI-induced colitis pathogenesis. This research sheds light on a promising avenue for the development of novel treatments for C. difficile infection.IMPORTANCETherapy for Clostridioides difficile infections includes the use of antibiotics, immunosuppressors, and fecal microbiota transplantation. However, these treatments have several drawbacks, including the loss of colonization resistance, the promotion of autoimmune disorders, and the potential for unknown pathogens in donor samples. To date, the potential benefits of microbial metabolites in CDI-induced colitis have not been fully investigated. Here, we report for the first time that the microbial metabolite urolithin A has the potential to block toxin production from C. difficile and enhance gut barrier function to mitigate CDI-induced colitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sweta Ghosh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- UofL-Brown Cancer Center, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Daniel Erickson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Michelle J. Chua
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - James Collins
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Center for Predictive Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Center for Microbiomics, Inflammation and Pathogenicity, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Venkatakrishna Rao Jala
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- UofL-Brown Cancer Center, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Center for Microbiomics, Inflammation and Pathogenicity, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
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4
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Monday L, Tillotson G, Chopra T. Microbiota-Based Live Biotherapeutic Products for Clostridioides Difficile Infection- The Devil is in the Details. Infect Drug Resist 2024; 17:623-639. [PMID: 38375101 PMCID: PMC10876012 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s419243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) remains a significant contributor to healthcare costs and morbidity due to high rates of recurrence. Currently, available antibiotic treatment strategies further disrupt the fecal microbiome and do not address the alterations in commensal flora (dysbiosis) that set the stage for CDI. Advances in microbiome-based research have resulted in the development of new agents, classified as live biotherapeutic products (LBPs), for preventing recurrent CDI (rCDI) by restoring eubiosis. Prior to the LBPs, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was available for this purpose; however, lack of large-scale availability and safety concerns have remained barriers to its widespread use. The LBPs are an exciting development, but questions remain. Some are derived directly from human stool while other developmental products contain a defined microbial consortium manufactured ex vivo, and they may be composed of either living bacteria or their spores, making it difficult to compare members of this heterogenous drug class to one another. None have been studied head-to head or against FMT in preventing rCDI. As a class, they have considerable variability in their biologic composition, biopharmaceutic science, route of administration, stages of development, and clinical trial data. This review will start by explaining the role of dysbiosis in CDI, then give the details of the biopharmaceutical components for the LBPs which are approved or in development including how they differ from FMT and from one another. We then discuss the clinical trials of the LBPs currently approved for rCDI and end with the future clinical directions of LBPs beyond C. difficile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Monday
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | | | - Teena Chopra
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
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Dai R, Kelly BN, Ike A, Berger D, Chan A, Drew DA, Ljungman D, Mutiibwa D, Ricciardi R, Tumusiime G, Cusack JC. The Impact of the Gut Microbiome, Environment, and Diet in Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Development. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:676. [PMID: 38339427 PMCID: PMC10854951 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030676] [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: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Traditionally considered a disease common in the older population, colorectal cancer is increasing in incidence among younger demographics. Evidence suggests that populational- and generational-level shifts in the composition of the human gut microbiome may be tied to the recent trends in gastrointestinal carcinogenesis. This review provides an overview of current research and putative mechanisms behind the rising incidence of colorectal cancer in the younger population, with insight into future interventions that may prevent or reverse the rate of early-onset colorectal carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Dai
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (D.B.); (A.C.); (D.A.D.); (R.R.)
| | - Bridget N. Kelly
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA (A.I.)
| | - Amarachi Ike
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA (A.I.)
| | - David Berger
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (D.B.); (A.C.); (D.A.D.); (R.R.)
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA (A.I.)
| | - Andrew Chan
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (D.B.); (A.C.); (D.A.D.); (R.R.)
- Department of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - David A. Drew
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (D.B.); (A.C.); (D.A.D.); (R.R.)
- Department of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - David Ljungman
- Sahlgrenska University Hospital, University of Gothenburg, 413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden;
| | - David Mutiibwa
- Department of Surgery, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara P.O. Box 1410, Uganda;
| | - Rocco Ricciardi
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (D.B.); (A.C.); (D.A.D.); (R.R.)
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA (A.I.)
| | - Gerald Tumusiime
- School of Medicine, Uganda Christian University, Mukono P.O. Box 4, Uganda;
| | - James C. Cusack
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (D.B.); (A.C.); (D.A.D.); (R.R.)
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA (A.I.)
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6
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Normington C, Chilton CH, Buckley AM. Clostridioides difficile infections; new treatments and future perspectives. Curr Opin Gastroenterol 2024; 40:7-13. [PMID: 37942659 PMCID: PMC10715702 DOI: 10.1097/mog.0000000000000989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW As a significant cause of global morbidity and mortality, Clostridioides difficile infections (CDIs) are listed by the Centres for Disease Control and prevention as one of the top 5 urgent threats in the USA. CDI occurs from gut microbiome dysbiosis, typically through antibiotic-mediated disruption; however, antibiotics are the treatment of choice, which can result in recurrent infections. Here, we highlight new treatments available and provide a perspective on different classes of future treatments. RECENT FINDINGS Due to the reduced risk of disease recurrence, the microbiome-sparing antibiotic Fidaxomicin has been recommended as the first-line treatment for C. difficile infection. Based on the success of faecal microbiota transplantations (FMT) in treating CDI recurrence, defined microbiome biotherapeutics offer a safer and more tightly controlled alterative as an adjunct to antibiotic therapy. Given the association between antibiotic-mediated dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota and the recurrence of CDI, future prospective therapies aim to reduce the dependence on antibiotics for the treatment of CDI. SUMMARY With current first-in-line antibiotic therapy options associated with high levels of recurrent CDI, the availability of new generation targeted therapeutics can really impact treatment success. There are still unknowns about the long-term implications of these new CDI therapeutics, but efforts to expand the CDI treatment toolbox can offer multiple solutions for clinicians to treat this multifaceted infectious disease to reduce patient suffering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charmaine Normington
- Healthcare Associated Infections Research Group, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Leeds
- Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust, Leeds General Infirmary
| | - Caroline H. Chilton
- Healthcare Associated Infections Research Group, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Leeds
- Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust, Leeds General Infirmary
| | - Anthony M. Buckley
- Microbiome and Nutritional Sciences Group, School of Food Science & Nutrition, Faculty of Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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Vázquez-Cuesta S, Lozano García N, Fernández AI, Olmedo M, Kestler M, Alcalá L, Marín M, Bermejo J, Díaz FFA, Muñoz P, Bouza E, Reigadas E. Microbiome profile and calprotectin levels as markers of risk of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1237500. [PMID: 37780848 PMCID: PMC10534046 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1237500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is the main cause of nosocomial diarrhoea in developed countries. Recurrent CDI (R-CDI), which affects 20%-30% of patients and significantly increases hospital stay and associated costs, is a key challenge. The main objective of this study was to explore the role of the microbiome and calprotectin levels as predictive biomarkers of R-CDI. Methods We prospectively (2019-2021) included patients with a primary episode of CDI. Clinical data and faecal samples were collected. The microbiome was analysed by sequencing the hypervariable V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene on an Illumina Miseq platform. Results We enrolled 200 patients with primary CDI, of whom 54 developed R-CDI and 146 did not. We analysed 200 primary samples and found that Fusobacterium increased in abundance, while Collinsella, Senegalimassilia, Prevotella and Ruminococcus decreased in patients with recurrent versus non-recurrent disease. Elevated calprotectin levels correlated significantly with R-CDI (p=0.01). We built a risk index for R-CDI, including as prognostic factors age, sex, immunosuppression, toxin B amplification cycle, creatinine levels and faecal calprotectin levels (overall accuracy of 79%). Discussion Calprotectin levels and abundance of microbial genera such as Fusobacterium and Prevotella in primary episodes could be useful as early markers of R-CDI. We propose a readily available model for prediction of R-CDI that can be applied at the initial CDI episode. The use of this tool could help to better tailor treatments according to the risk of R-CDI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Vázquez-Cuesta
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Biology, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Nuria Lozano García
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana I. Fernández
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Olmedo
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Martha Kestler
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Medicine Department, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Alcalá
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES CB06/06/0058), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mercedes Marín
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Medicine Department, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES CB06/06/0058), Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Bermejo
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Medicine Department, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Fernández-Avilés Díaz
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Medicine Department, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia Muñoz
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Medicine Department, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES CB06/06/0058), Madrid, Spain
| | - Emilio Bouza
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Medicine Department, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES CB06/06/0058), Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Reigadas
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Medicine Department, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
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Larsen IS, Chenaux M, Collins FWJ, Mandic A, Hansen LBS, Lauridsen CAS, Haller RF, Elvig-Jørgensen S, Horwell E, Christiansen J, Silva A, Vehreschild MJGT, Cutting SM, Roggenbuck-Wedemeyer M, Kristensen NN. Bacillus velezensis DSM 33864 reduces Clostridioides difficile colonization without disturbing commensal gut microbiota composition. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14941. [PMID: 37696924 PMCID: PMC10495459 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42128-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Up to 25% of the US population harbor Clostridioides difficile in the gut. Following antibiotic disruption of the gut microbiota, C. difficile can act as an opportunistic pathogen and induce potentially lethal infections. Consequently, reducing the colonization of C. difficile in at-risk populations is warranted, prompting us to identify and characterize a probiotic candidate specifically targeting C. difficile colonization. We identified Bacillus velezensis DSM 33864 as a promising strain to reduce C. difficile levels in vitro. We further investigated the effects of B. velezensis DSM 33864 in an assay including human fecal medium and in healthy or clindamycin-treated mouse models of C. difficile colonization. The addition of B. velezensis DSM 33864 to human fecal samples was shown to reduce the colonization of C. difficile in vitro. This was supported in vivo where orally administered B. velezensis DSM 33864 spores reduced C. difficile levels in clindamycin-treated mice. The commensal microbiota composition or post-antibiotic reconstitution was not impacted by B. velezensis DSM 33864 in human fecal samples, short-, or long-term administration in mice. In conclusion, oral administration of B. velezensis DSM 33864 specifically reduced C. difficile colonization in vitro and in vivo without adversely impacting the commensal gut microbiota composition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ed Horwell
- Bioscience Innovation Centre, Sporegen Ltd., 2 Royal College Street, London, NW1 0NH, UK
| | | | | | - Maria J G T Vehreschild
- Department of Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Simon M Cutting
- Bioscience Innovation Centre, Sporegen Ltd., 2 Royal College Street, London, NW1 0NH, UK
- Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey, UK
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Murphy CK, O’Donnell MM, Hegarty JW, Schulz S, Hill C, Ross RP, Rea MC, Farquhar R, Chesnel L. Novel, non-colonizing, single-strain live biotherapeutic product ADS024 protects against Clostridioides difficile infection challenge in vivo. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol 2023; 14:71-85. [PMID: 37727283 PMCID: PMC10505952 DOI: 10.4291/wjgp.v14.i4.71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [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] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) causes half a million infections (CDI) annually and is a major cause of total infectious disease death in the United States, causing inflammation of the colon and potentially deadly diarrhea. We recently reported the isolation of ADS024, a Bacillus velezensis (B. velezensis) strain, which demonstrated direct in vitro bactericidal activity against C. difficile, with minimal collateral impact on other members of the gut microbiota. In this study, we hypothesized that in vitro activities of ADS024 will translate in vivo to protect against CDI challenge in mouse models. AIM To investigate the in vivo efficacy of B. velezensis ADS024 in protecting against CDI challenge in mouse models. METHODS To mimic disruption of the gut microbiota, the mice were exposed to vancomycin prior to dosing with ADS024. For the mouse single-dose study, the recovery of ADS024 was assessed via microbiological analysis of intestinal and fecal samples at 4 h, 8 h, and 24 h after a single oral dose of 5 × 108 colony-forming units (CFU)/mouse of freshly grown ADS024. The single-dose study in miniature swine included groups that had been pre-dosed with vancomycin and that had been exposed to a dose range of ADS024, and a group that was not pre-dosed with vancomycin and received a single dose of ADS024. The ADS024 colonies [assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) using ADS024-specific primers] were counted on agar plates. For the 28-d miniature swine study, qPCR was used to measure ADS024 levels from fecal samples after oral administration of ADS024 capsules containing 5 × 109 CFU for 28 consecutive days, followed by MiSeq compositional sequencing and bioinformatic analyses to measure the impact of ADS024 on microbiota. Two studies were performed to determine the efficacy of ADS024 in a mouse model of CDI: Study 1 to determine the effects of fresh ADS024 culture and ADS024 spore preparations on the clinical manifestations of CDI in mice, and Study 2 to compare the efficacy of single daily doses vs dosing 3 times per day with fresh ADS024. C. difficile challenge was performed 24 h after the start of ADS024 exposure. To model the human distal colon, an anerobic fecal fermentation system was used. MiSeq compositional sequencing and bioinformatic analyses were performed to measure microbiota diversity changes following ADS024 treatment. To assess the potential of ADS024 to be a source of antibiotic resistance, its susceptibility to 18 different antibiotics was tested. RESULTS In a mouse model of CDI challenge, single daily doses of ADS024 were as efficacious as multiple daily doses in protecting against subsequent challenge by C. difficile pathogen-induced disease. ADS024 showed no evidence of colonization based on the observation that the ADS024 colonies were not recovered 24 h after single doses in mice or 72 h after single doses in miniature swine. In a 28-d repeat-dose study in miniature swine, ADS024 was not detected in fecal samples using plating and qPCR methods. Phylogenetic analysis performed in the human distal colon model showed that ADS024 had a selective impact on the healthy human colonic microbiota, similarly to the in vivo studies performed in miniature swine. Safety assessments indicated that ADS024 was susceptible to all the antibiotics tested, while in silico testing revealed a low potential for off-target activity or virulence and antibiotic-resistance mechanisms. CONCLUSION Our findings, demonstrating in vivo efficacy of ADS024 in protecting against CDI challenge in mouse models, support the use of ADS024 in preventing recurrent CDI following standard antibiotic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher K Murphy
- Research and Development, Adiso Therapeutics Inc., Concord, MA 01742, United States
| | | | - James W Hegarty
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark Fermoy, Cork P61 C996, Ireland
| | - Sarah Schulz
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork T12 K8AF, Ireland
| | - Colin Hill
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork T12 K8AF, Ireland
| | - R Paul Ross
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork T12 K8AF, Ireland
| | - Mary C Rea
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark Fermoy, Cork P61 C996, Ireland
| | - Ronald Farquhar
- Executive Leadership Team, Adiso Therapeutics Inc., Concord, MA 01742, United States
| | - Laurent Chesnel
- Research and Development, Adiso Therapeutics Inc., Concord, MA 01742, United States
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10
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Jenior ML, Leslie JL, Kolling GL, Archbald-Pannone L, Powers DA, Petri WA, Papin JA. Systems-ecology designed bacterial consortium protects from severe Clostridioides difficile infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.08.552483. [PMID: 37609255 PMCID: PMC10441344 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.08.552483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT) is an emerging therapy that has had remarkable success in treatment and prevention of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (rCDI). FMT has recently been associated with adverse outcomes such as inadvertent transfer of antimicrobial resistance, necessitating development of more targeted bacteriotherapies. To address this challenge, we developed a novel systems biology pipeline to identify candidate probiotic strains that would be predicted to interrupt C. difficile pathogenesis. Utilizing metagenomic characterization of human FMT donor samples, we identified those metabolic pathways most associated with successful FMTs and reconstructed the metabolism of encoding species to simulate interactions with C. difficile . This analysis resulted in predictions of high levels of cross-feeding for amino acids in species most associated with FMT success. Guided by these in silico models, we assembled consortia of bacteria with increased amino acid cross-feeding which were then validated in vitro . We subsequently tested the consortia in a murine model of CDI, demonstrating total protection from severe CDI through decreased toxin levels, recovered gut microbiota, and increased intestinal eosinophils. These results support the novel framework that amino acid cross-feeding is likely a critical mechanism in the initial resolution of CDI by FMT. Importantly, we conclude that our predictive platform based on predicted and testable metabolic interactions between the microbiota and C. difficile led to a rationally designed biotherapeutic framework that may be extended to other enteric infections.
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11
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Ghosh S, Erickson D, Chua MJ, Collins J, Jala VR. The microbial metabolite Urolithin A reduces C. difficile toxin expression and repairs toxin-induced epithelial damage. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.24.550342. [PMID: 37546803 PMCID: PMC10402075 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.24.550342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile is a gram-positive, anaerobic, spore-forming bacterium that is responsible for antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis. Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) symptoms can range from diarrhea to life-threatening colon damage. Toxins produced by C. difficile (TcdA and TcdB) cause intestinal epithelial injury and lead to severe gut barrier dysfunction, stem cell damage, and impaired regeneration of the gut epithelium. Current treatment options for intestinal repair are limited. In this study, we demonstrate that treatment with the microbial metabolite urolithin A (UroA) attenuates CDI-induced adverse effects on the colon epithelium in a preclinical model of CDI-induced colitis. Moreover, our analysis suggests that UroA treatment protects against C. difficile-induced inflammation, disruption of gut barrier integrity, and intestinal tight junction proteins in the colon of CDI mice. Importantly, UroA treatment significantly reduced the expression and release of toxins from C. difficile, without inducing bacterial cell death. These results indicate the direct regulatory effects of UroA on bacterial gene regulation. Overall, our findings reveal a novel aspect of UroA activities, as it appears to act at both the bacterial and host levels to protect against CDI-induced colitis pathogenesis. This research sheds light on a promising avenue for the development of novel treatments for C. difficile infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sweta Ghosh
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
- UofL-Brown Cancer Center, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Daniel Erickson
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Michelle J Chua
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - James Collins
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
- Center for Predictive Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
- Center for Microbiomics, Inflammation and Pathogenicity, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Venkatakrishna Rao Jala
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
- UofL-Brown Cancer Center, Louisville, KY, USA
- Center for Microbiomics, Inflammation and Pathogenicity, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
- Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
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12
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Nagarakanti S, Orenstein R. Treating Clostridioides difficile: Could Microbiota-based Live Biotherapeutic Products Provide the Answer? Infect Drug Resist 2023; 16:3137-3143. [PMID: 37235073 PMCID: PMC10208241 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s400570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a pressing health care issue due to the limited effectiveness of current treatments and high recurrence rates. Current available antibiotic options for CDI disrupt the fecal microbiome which predisposes recurrent CDI. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has improved the outcomes of recurrent CDI, but concerns surrounding the safety and standardization of the product persist. Microbiota-based live biotherapeutic products (LBPs), are emerging as potential alternatives to FMT for CDI treatment. This review explores the potential of LBPs as safe and effective therapy for CDI. While preclinical and early clinical studies have shown promising results, further research is necessary to determine the optimal composition and dosage of LBPs and to ensure their safety and efficacy in clinical practice. Overall, LBPs hold great promise as a novel therapy for CDI and warrant further investigation in other conditions related to disruption of the colonic microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert Orenstein
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, USA
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Tian H, Cui J, Ye C, Zhao J, Yang B, Xu Y, Ji S, Wang L, Lv X, Ma C, Zhou S, Li N, Wang X, Qin H, Chen Q. Depletion of butyrate-producing microbes of the Firmicutes predicts nonresponse to FMT therapy in patients with recurrent Clostridium difficile infection. Gut Microbes 2023; 15:2236362. [PMID: 37469017 PMCID: PMC10361143 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2236362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Approximately 10% of individuals diagnosed with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) show the resistance to fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), with the underlying mechanisms remaining elusive. Deciphering the intricate microbiome profile within this particular subset of FMT-refractory patients via clinical FMT investigations assumes paramount importance, as it holds the key to designing targeted therapeutic interventions tailored for CDI, particularly recurrent CDI (rCDI). A cohort of twenty-three patients afflicted with rCDI, exhibiting congruent clinical baselines, was meticulously selected for FMT. Rigorous screening of thousands of healthy individuals identified ten FMT donors who met stringent health standards, while a total of 171 stool samples were collected to serve as healthy controls. To assess the influence of microbiome dynamics on FMT efficacy, fecal samples were collected from four donors over a continuous period of twenty-five weeks. After FMT treatment, seven individuals exhibited an inadequate response to FMT. These non-remission patients displayed a significant reduction in α-diversity indexes. Meanwhile, prior to FMT, the abundance of key butyrate-producing Firmicutes bacteria, including Christensenellaceae_R_7_group, Ruminococcaceae_unclassified, Coprococcus_2, Fusicatenibacter, Oscillospira, and Roseburia, were depleted in non-remission patients. Moreover, Burkholderiales_unclassified, Coprococcus_2, and Oscillospira failed to colonize non-remission patients both pre- and post-treatment. Conversely, patients with a favorable FMT response exhibited a higher relative abundance of Veillonella prior to treatment, whereas its depletion was commonly observed in non-remission individuals. Genera interactions in lower effectiveness FMT donors were more similar to those in non-remission patients, and Burkholderiales_unclassified, Coprococcus_2, and Oscillospira were frequently depleted in these lower effectiveness donors. Older patients were not conducive to the colonization of Veillonella, consistent with their poor prognosis after FMT. FMT non-remission rCDI patients exhibited distinct characteristics that hindered the colonization of beneficial butyrate-producing Firmicutes microbes. These findings hold promise in advancing the precision of FMT therapy for rCDI patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongliang Tian
- Intestinal Microenvironment Treatment Center of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institution of Gut Microbiota Research and Engineering Development, Tenth People’s Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiaqu Cui
- Intestinal Microenvironment Treatment Center of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institution of Gut Microbiota Research and Engineering Development, Tenth People’s Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Ye
- Intestinal Microenvironment Treatment Center of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institution of Gut Microbiota Research and Engineering Development, Tenth People’s Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiangman Zhao
- Department of Bioinformatics, Shanghai Zhangjiang Institute of Medical Innovation, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Intestinal Microenvironment Treatment Center of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institution of Gut Microbiota Research and Engineering Development, Tenth People’s Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Xu
- Department of Bioinformatics, Shanghai Zhangjiang Institute of Medical Innovation, Shanghai, China
| | - Shushen Ji
- Department of Bioinformatics, Shanghai Zhangjiang Institute of Medical Innovation, Shanghai, China
| | - Le Wang
- Intestinal Microenvironment Treatment Center of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institution of Gut Microbiota Research and Engineering Development, Tenth People’s Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoqiong Lv
- Intestinal Microenvironment Treatment Center of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institution of Gut Microbiota Research and Engineering Development, Tenth People’s Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunlian Ma
- Intestinal Microenvironment Treatment Center of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institution of Gut Microbiota Research and Engineering Development, Tenth People’s Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shailan Zhou
- Intestinal Microenvironment Treatment Center of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institution of Gut Microbiota Research and Engineering Development, Tenth People’s Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ning Li
- Intestinal Microenvironment Treatment Center of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institution of Gut Microbiota Research and Engineering Development, Tenth People’s Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinjun Wang
- Intestinal Microenvironment Treatment Center of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institution of Gut Microbiota Research and Engineering Development, Tenth People’s Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Research Institute of Intestinal Diseases, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Huanlong Qin
- Intestinal Microenvironment Treatment Center of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institution of Gut Microbiota Research and Engineering Development, Tenth People’s Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Research Institute of Intestinal Diseases, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiyi Chen
- Intestinal Microenvironment Treatment Center of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institution of Gut Microbiota Research and Engineering Development, Tenth People’s Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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14
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Xu Q, Zhang S, Quan J, Wu Z, Gu S, Chen Y, Zheng B, Lv L, Li L. The evaluation of fecal microbiota transplantation vs vancomycin in a Clostridioides difficile infection model. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 106:6689-6700. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-12154-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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15
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Gao Y, Ma L, Su J. Host and microbial-derived metabolites for Clostridioides difficile infection: Contributions, mechanisms and potential applications. Microbiol Res 2022; 263:127113. [PMID: 35841835 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2022.127113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), which mostly occurs in hospitalized patients, is the most common and costly health care-associated disease. However, the biology of C. difficile remains incompletely understood. Current therapeutics are still challenged by the frequent recurrence of CDI. Advances in metabolomics facilitate our understanding of the etiology of CDI, which is not merely an alteration in the structure of the gut microbial community but also a dysbiosis metabolic setting promoting the germination, expansion and virulence of C. difficile. Therefore, we summarized the gut microbial and metabolic profiles for CDI under different conditions, such as those of postantibiotic treatment and postfecal microbiota transplantation. The current understanding of the role of host and gut microbial-derived metabolites as well as other nutrients in preventing or alleviating the disease symptoms of CDI will also be provided in this review. We hope that a specific nutrient-centric dietary strategy or the administration of certain nutrients to the colon could serve as an alternate line of investigation for the prophylaxis and mitigation of CDI in the future. Nevertheless, rigorously designed basic studies and randomized controlled trials need to be conducted to assess the functional mechanisms and effects of such therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Gao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Liyan Ma
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jianrong Su
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China.
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