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Inostroza O, Fuentes JA, Yáñez P, Espinoza G, Fica O, Queraltó C, Rodríguez J, Flores I, González R, Soto JA, Calderón IL, Gil F. Characterization of Clostridioides difficile Persister Cells and Their Role in Antibiotic Tolerance. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1394. [PMID: 39065162 PMCID: PMC11279270 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12071394] [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: 06/15/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile is a Gram-positive pathogen known for its toxin production and spore formation. It is primarily responsible for most cases of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Bacterial persisters are a small subset of the population that exhibits transient tolerance to bactericidal substances, and they are of significant medical concern due to their association with the emergence of antibiotic resistance and difficult-to-treat chronic or recurrent infections. Vancomycin, the predominant antibiotic utilized in the management of C. difficile infection, is extensively applied in the realm of clinical practice. Previous studies have demonstrated a persister-like phenotype with treatments involving this antibiotic. However, the mechanism in C. difficile remains largely unknown, primarily due to the challenge of isolating this small population at any given time. To better characterize C. difficile persister cells, we present a study that enables the enrichment and characterization of persister cells from bacterial cultures in both the exponential and stationary phases. Moreover, we could differentiate between triggered (induced using antibiotics such as vancomycin) and spontaneous (stochastic) persister cells. Additionally, we observed the involvement of toxin-antitoxin systems and Clp proteases in persister cell formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osvaldo Inostroza
- Microbiota-Host Interactions and Clostridia Research Group, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370186, Chile; (O.I.); (P.Y.); (G.E.); (O.F.); camilabelen.-@hotmail.com (C.Q.); (J.R.); (I.F.); (R.G.)
| | - Juan A. Fuentes
- Laboratorio de Genética y Patogénesis Bacteriana, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370186, Chile;
| | - Paulina Yáñez
- Microbiota-Host Interactions and Clostridia Research Group, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370186, Chile; (O.I.); (P.Y.); (G.E.); (O.F.); camilabelen.-@hotmail.com (C.Q.); (J.R.); (I.F.); (R.G.)
| | - Giovanni Espinoza
- Microbiota-Host Interactions and Clostridia Research Group, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370186, Chile; (O.I.); (P.Y.); (G.E.); (O.F.); camilabelen.-@hotmail.com (C.Q.); (J.R.); (I.F.); (R.G.)
| | - Omar Fica
- Microbiota-Host Interactions and Clostridia Research Group, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370186, Chile; (O.I.); (P.Y.); (G.E.); (O.F.); camilabelen.-@hotmail.com (C.Q.); (J.R.); (I.F.); (R.G.)
| | - Camila Queraltó
- Microbiota-Host Interactions and Clostridia Research Group, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370186, Chile; (O.I.); (P.Y.); (G.E.); (O.F.); camilabelen.-@hotmail.com (C.Q.); (J.R.); (I.F.); (R.G.)
| | - José Rodríguez
- Microbiota-Host Interactions and Clostridia Research Group, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370186, Chile; (O.I.); (P.Y.); (G.E.); (O.F.); camilabelen.-@hotmail.com (C.Q.); (J.R.); (I.F.); (R.G.)
| | - Isidora Flores
- Microbiota-Host Interactions and Clostridia Research Group, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370186, Chile; (O.I.); (P.Y.); (G.E.); (O.F.); camilabelen.-@hotmail.com (C.Q.); (J.R.); (I.F.); (R.G.)
| | - Ruth González
- Microbiota-Host Interactions and Clostridia Research Group, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370186, Chile; (O.I.); (P.Y.); (G.E.); (O.F.); camilabelen.-@hotmail.com (C.Q.); (J.R.); (I.F.); (R.G.)
| | - Jorge A. Soto
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370186, Chile;
| | - Iván L. Calderón
- Laboratorio de RNAs Bacterianos, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370186, Chile
| | - Fernando Gil
- Microbiota-Host Interactions and Clostridia Research Group, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370186, Chile; (O.I.); (P.Y.); (G.E.); (O.F.); camilabelen.-@hotmail.com (C.Q.); (J.R.); (I.F.); (R.G.)
- ANID-Millennium Science Initiative Program-Millennium Nucleus in the Biology of the Intestinal Microbiota, Santiago 8370186, Chile
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Couture S, Frenette C, Schiller I, Alfaro R, Dendukuri N, Thirion D, Longtin Y, Loo VG. The changing epidemiology of Clostridioides difficile infection and the NAP1/027 strain in two Québec hospitals: a 17-year time-series study. ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP & HEALTHCARE EPIDEMIOLOGY : ASHE 2024; 4:e99. [PMID: 38836044 PMCID: PMC11149029 DOI: 10.1017/ash.2024.95] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Objective To describe the epidemiology of healthcare-associated Clostridioides difficile infection (HA-CDI) in two Québec hospitals in Canada following the 2003 epidemic and to evaluate the impact of antibiotic stewardship on the incidence of HA-CDI and the NAP1/027 strain. Design Time-series analysis. Setting Two Canadian tertiary care hospitals based in Montréal, Québec. Patients Patients with a positive assay for toxigenic C. difficile were identified through infection control surveillance. All cases of HA-CDI, defined as symptoms occurring after 72 hours of hospital admission or within 4 weeks of hospitalization, were included. Methods The incidence of HA-CDI and antibiotic utilization from 2003 to 2020 were analyzed with available C. difficile isolates. The impact of antibiotic utilization on HA-CDI incidence was estimated by a dynamic regression time-series model. Antibiotic utilization and the proportion of NAP1/027 strains were compared biannually for available isolates from 2010 to 2020. Results The incidence of HA-CDI decreased between 2003 and 2020 at both hospitals from 26.5 cases per 10,000 patient-days in 2003 to 4.9 cases per 10,000 patient-days in 2020 respectively. Over the study period, there were an increase in the utilization of third-generation cephalosporins and a decrease in usage of fluoroquinolones and clindamycin. A decrease in fluoroquinolone utilization was associated with a significant decrease in HA-CDI incidence as well as decrease in the NAP1/027 strain by approximately 80% in both hospitals. Conclusions Decreased utilization of fluoroquinolones in two Québec hospitals was associated with a decrease in the incidence of HA-CDI and a genotype shift from NAP1/027 to non-NAP1/027 strains.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Charles Frenette
- McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Ian Schiller
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Rowin Alfaro
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Nandini Dendukuri
- McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Daniel Thirion
- Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pharmacy, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Yves Longtin
- McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Vivian G Loo
- McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
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Dudzicz-Gojowy S, Więcek A, Adamczak M. The Role of Probiotics in the Prevention of Clostridioides difficile Infection in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease. Nutrients 2024; 16:671. [PMID: 38474799 DOI: 10.3390/nu16050671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
In patients suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD), substantial unfavourable alterations in the intestinal microbiota composition, i.e., dysbiosis, have been noted. The main causes of such dysbiosis among others are insufficient dietary fibre content in the diet, fluid restrictions, medications used, and physical activity limitation. One clinically important consequence of dysbiosis in CKD patients is high risk of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). In observational studies, it was found that CDI is more frequent in CKD patients than in the general population. This appears to be related to high hospitalization rate and more often antibiotic therapy use, leading up to the occurrence of dysbiosis. Therefore, the use of probiotics in CKD patients may avert changes in the intestinal microbiota, which is the major risk factor of CDI. The aim of this review paper is to summarize the actual knowledge concerning the use of probiotics in CDI prevention in CKD patients in the context of CDI prevention in the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Dudzicz-Gojowy
- Department of Nephrology, Transplantation and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, 40-027 Katowice, Poland
| | - Andrzej Więcek
- Department of Nephrology, Transplantation and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, 40-027 Katowice, Poland
| | - Marcin Adamczak
- Department of Nephrology, Transplantation and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, 40-027 Katowice, Poland
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Schwartz O, Rohana H, Azrad M, Shor A, Rainy N, Maor Y, Nesher L, Sagi O, Ken-Dror S, Kechker P, Peretz A. Characterization of community-acquired Clostridioides difficile strains in Israel, 2020-2022. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1323257. [PMID: 38169783 PMCID: PMC10758451 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1323257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The prevalence of community-acquired Clostridioides difficile infection (CA-CDI) has been rising, due to changes in antibiotics prescribing practices, emergence of hypervirulent strains and improved diagnostics. This study explored CA-CDI epidemiology by examining strain diversity and virulence factors of CA-CDI isolates collected across several geographical regions in Israel. Methods Stool samples of 126 CA-CDI patients were subjected to PCR and an immunoassay to identify toxin genes and proteins, respectively. Toxin loci PaLoc and PaCdt were detected by whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Biofilm production was assessed by crystal violet-based assay. Minimum inhibitory concentration was determined using the Etest technique or agar dilution. WGS and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) were used to classify strains and investigate genetic diversity. Results Sequence types (ST) 2 (17, 13.5%), ST42 (13, 10.3%), ST104 (10, 8%) and ST11 (9, 7.1%) were the most common. All (117, 92.8%) but ST11 belonged to Clade 1. No associations were found between ST and gender, geographic area or antibiotic susceptibility. Although all strains harbored toxins genes, 34 (27%) produced toxin A only, and 54 (42.9%) strains produced toxin B only; 38 (30.2%) produced both toxins. Most isolates were biofilm-producers (118, 93.6%), primarily weak producers (83/118, 70.3%). ST was significantly associated with both biofilm and toxin production. Conclusion C. difficile isolates in Israel community exhibit high ST diversity, with no dominant strain. Other factors may influence the clinical outcomes of CDI such as toxin production, antibiotic resistance and biofilm production. Further studies are needed to better understand the dynamics and influence of these factors on CA-CDI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orna Schwartz
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed, Israel
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, The Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Hanan Rohana
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Tzafon Medical Center, Poriya, Israel
| | - Maya Azrad
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Tzafon Medical Center, Poriya, Israel
| | - Anna Shor
- Shamir Medical Center, Be’er Ya’akov, Israel
| | - Nir Rainy
- Shamir Medical Center, Be’er Ya’akov, Israel
| | - Yasmin Maor
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Infectious Diseases Unit, The Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel
| | - Lior Nesher
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Soroka University Medical Center, Be’er Sheba, Israel
- Faculty of Health Sciences Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be’er Sheba, Israel
| | - Orli Sagi
- Microbiology Laboratory, Soroka University Medical Center, Be’er Sheba, Israel
| | - Shifra Ken-Dror
- W. Hirsch Regional Microbiology Laboratory, Clalit Health Services, Haifa, Israel
| | - Peter Kechker
- W. Hirsch Regional Microbiology Laboratory, Clalit Health Services, Haifa, Israel
| | - Avi Peretz
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed, Israel
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Tzafon Medical Center, Poriya, Israel
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Yang L, Lai Y, Cheung CI, Ye Z, Huang T, Wang Y, Chin Y, Chia Z, Chen Y, Li M, Tseng H, Tsai Y, Zhang Z, Chen K, Tsai B, Shieh D, Lee N, Tsai P, Huang C. Novel metal peroxide nanoboxes restrain Clostridioides difficile infection beyond the bactericidal and sporicidal activity. Bioeng Transl Med 2023; 8:e10593. [PMID: 38023694 PMCID: PMC10658501 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile spores are considered as the major source responsible for the development of C. difficile infection (CDI), which is associated with an increased risk of death in patients and has become an important issue in infection control of nosocomial infections. Current treatment against CDI still relies on antibiotics, which also damage normal flora and increase the risk of CDI recurrence. Therefore, alternative therapies that are more effective against C. difficile bacteria and spores are urgently needed. Here, we designed an oxidation process using H2O2 containing PBS solution to generate Cl- and peroxide molecules that further process Ag and Au ions to form nanoboxes with Ag-Au peroxide coat covering Au shell and AgCl core (AgAu-based nanoboxes). The AgAu-based nanoboxes efficiently disrupted the membrane structure of bacteria/spores of C. difficile after 30-45 min exposure to the highly reactive Ag/Au peroxide surface of the nano structures. The Au-enclosed AgCl provided sustained suppression of the growth of 2 × 107 pathogenic Escherichia coli for up to 19 days. In a fecal bench ex vivo test and in vivo CDI murine model, biocompatibility and therapeutic efficacy of the AuAg nanoboxes to attenuate CDI was demonstrated by restoring the gut microbiota and colon mucosal structure. The treatment successfully rescued the CDI mice from death and prevented their recurrence mediated by vancomycin treatment. The significant outcomes indicated that the new peroxide-derived AgAu-based nanoboxes possess great potential for future translation into clinical application as a new alternative therapeutic strategy against CDI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li‐Xing Yang
- Department of PhotonicsNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
- School of Dentistry and Institute of Oral MedicineNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
| | - Yi‐Hsin Lai
- Institute of Basic MedicineNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
| | - Chun In Cheung
- Department of PhotonicsNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
| | - Zhi Ye
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and BiotechnologyNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
| | - Tzu‐Chi Huang
- Department of PhotonicsNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
| | - Yu‐Chin Wang
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and BiotechnologyNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
| | - Yu‐Cheng Chin
- Department of PhotonicsNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
| | - Zi‐Chun Chia
- Department of PhotonicsNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
| | - Ya‐Jyun Chen
- Department of PhotonicsNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
| | - Meng‐Jia Li
- Institute of Basic MedicineNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
| | - Hsiu‐Ying Tseng
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and BiotechnologyNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
| | - Yi‐Tseng Tsai
- Department of PhotonicsNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
| | - Zhi‐Bin Zhang
- Department of PhotonicsNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
| | - Kuan‐Hsu Chen
- Department of PhotonicsNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
| | - Bo‐Yang Tsai
- Institute of Basic MedicineNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
| | - Dar‐Bin Shieh
- School of Dentistry and Institute of Oral MedicineNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
- Institute of Basic MedicineNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
- Center of Applied Nanomedicine and Core Facility CenterNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
- iMANI Center of the National Core Facility for BiopharmaceuticalsNational Science and Technology CouncilTaipeiTaiwan
- Department of StomatologyNational Cheng Kung University HospitalTainanTaiwan
| | - Nan‐Yao Lee
- Department of MedicineNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine and Center for Infection ControlNational Cheng Kung University HospitalTainanTaiwan
| | - Pei‐Jane Tsai
- Institute of Basic MedicineNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and BiotechnologyNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
- Research Center of Infectious Disease and SignalingNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
- Department of Pathology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of MedicineNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
| | - Chih‐Chia Huang
- Department of PhotonicsNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
- Center of Applied Nanomedicine and Core Facility CenterNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
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6
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Mah R, Locher K, Steiner TS, Stefanovic A. Clostridioides difficile PCR Tcdb Cycle Threshold predicts toxin EIA positivity but not severity of infection. Anaerobe 2023; 82:102755. [PMID: 37406762 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2023.102755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diagnosis of Clostridioides difficile Infection (CDI) entails compatible clinical presentation and laboratory findings. We evaluated real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) cycle threshold (CT) as a predictor for disease severity and TcdB enzyme immunoassay (EIA) results. METHODS Inpatients or emergency department patients who tested positive for tcdB gene by PCR were evaluated. Patients' stools underwent testing for GDH and TcdA/B by EIA. Medical health records were reviewed for demographic, clinical presentation, laboratory, treatment and outcome data. Severity of CDI was calculated using various severity score indexes. RESULTS The median CT of cases was 32.05 ± 5.45. The optimal cut-off for predicting toxin EIA positivity and severe CDI based on chart review was 32.6 and 29.8, respectively, with the area under the receiver operator characteristics curve (AUC) of 0.74 and 0.60 respectively. CONCLUSION CT value was an acceptable predictor for EIA toxin but less so for clinical severity. Our study potentially supports a diagnostic algorithm including CT value to reduce the number of EIA toxin assays performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regan Mah
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 899 W 12th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada.
| | - Kerstin Locher
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Rm. G227 - 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada.
| | - Theodore S Steiner
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of British Columbia, Rm. C328 Heather Pavilion East, VGH 2733 Heather Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Aleksandra Stefanovic
- Division of Medical Microbiology and Virology, St. Paul's Hospital, Providence Room 2150, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Providence Room 2150, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada.
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Werner M, Ishii PE, Pilla R, Lidbury JA, Steiner JM, Busch-Hahn K, Unterer S, Suchodolski JS. Prevalence of Clostridioides difficile in Canine Feces and Its Association with Intestinal Dysbiosis. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2441. [PMID: 37570250 PMCID: PMC10417777 DOI: 10.3390/ani13152441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of Clostridioides (C.) difficile as an enteropathogen in dogs is controversial. In humans, intestinal bile acid-dysmetabolism is associated with C. difficile prevalence. The relationship between fecal qPCR-based dysbiosis index (DI) and especially the abundance of bile acid-converting Clostridium hiranonis with the presence of C. difficile in dogs was explored across the following 4 cohorts: 358 fecal samples submitted for routine diagnostic work-up, 33 dogs with chronic enteropathy, 14 dogs with acute diarrhea, and 116 healthy dogs. Dogs that tested positive for C. difficile had significantly higher DI (median, 4.4 (range from 0.4 to 8.6)) and lower C. hiranonis (median, 0.1 (range from 0.0 to 7.5) logDNA/g) than dogs that tested negative for C. difficile (median DI, -1 (range from -7.2 to 8.9); median C. hiranonis abundance, 6.2 (range from 0.1 to 7.5) logDNA/g; p < 0.0001, respectively). In 33 dogs with CE and 14 dogs with acute diarrhea, the treatment response did not differ between C. difficile-positive and -negative dogs. In the group of clinically healthy dogs, 9/116 tested positive for C. difficile, and 6/9 of these had also an abnormal DI. In conclusion, C. difficile is strongly linked to intestinal dysbiosis and lower C. hiranonis levels in dogs, but its presence does not necessitate targeted treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Werner
- Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Patricia Eri Ishii
- Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 4474, USA
| | - Rachel Pilla
- Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 4474, USA
| | - Jonathan A. Lidbury
- Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 4474, USA
| | - Joerg M. Steiner
- Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 4474, USA
| | - Kathrin Busch-Hahn
- Clinic of Small Animal Internal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig Maximilians University, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan Unterer
- Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jan S. Suchodolski
- Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 4474, USA
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8
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Tian L, Huang C, Fu W, Gao L, Mi N, Bai M, Ma H, Zhang C, Lu Y, Zhao J, Zhang X, Jiang N, Lin Y, Yue P, Yuan J, Meng W. Proton pump inhibitors may enhance the risk of digestive diseases by regulating intestinal microbiota. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1217306. [PMID: 37529701 PMCID: PMC10387554 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1217306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the most used acid-inhibitory drugs, with a wide range of applications in the treatment of various digestive diseases. However, recently, there has been a growing number of digestive complications linked to PPIs, and several studies have indicated that the intestinal flora play an important role in these complications. Therefore, developing a greater understanding of the role of the gut microbiota in PPI-related digestive diseases is essential. Here, we summarize the current research on the correlation between PPI-related digestive disorders and intestinal flora and establish the altered strains and possible pathogenic mechanisms of the different diseases. We aimed to provide a theoretical basis and reference for the future treatment and prevention of PPI-related digestive complications based on the regulation of the intestinal microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Tian
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Chongfei Huang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Wenkang Fu
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Long Gao
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Ningning Mi
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Mingzhen Bai
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Haidong Ma
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Yawen Lu
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Jinyu Zhao
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Xianzhuo Zhang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Ningzu Jiang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Yanyan Lin
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Ping Yue
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Jinqiu Yuan
- Clinical Research Center, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Wenbo Meng
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
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9
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Pan H, Jian Y, Wang F, Yu S, Guo J, Kan J, Guo W. NLRP3 and Gut Microbiota Homeostasis: Progress in Research. Cells 2022; 11:cells11233758. [PMID: 36497018 PMCID: PMC9739202 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The inflammasome is a platform for inflammatory signaling, and the NLRP3 inflammasome recognizes stimuli in vitro and in vivo, and releases inflammatory cytokines that trigger inflammation and pyroptosis. In the gut, the NLRP3 inflammasome is a key sensor for protecting the body from damage and exogenous pathogens. It plays a fundamental role in maintaining the stability of the gut's immune system. We focus on the role of NLRP3 as a key node in maintaining the homeostasis of gut microbiota which has not been fully highlighted in the past; gut microbiota and innate immunity, as well as the NLRP3 inflammasome, are discussed in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongming Pan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Yuting Jian
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Feijie Wang
- Nutrilite Health Institute, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Shaokun Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jiannan Guo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Juntao Kan
- Nutrilite Health Institute, Shanghai 201203, China
- Correspondence: (J.K.); (W.G.); Tel.: +86-21-519-800-43 (W.G.)
| | - Wei Guo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
- Correspondence: (J.K.); (W.G.); Tel.: +86-21-519-800-43 (W.G.)
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10
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Janjusevic A, Cirkovic I, Minic R, Stevanovic G, Soldatovic I, Mihaljevic B, Vidovic A, Markovic Denic L. Predictors of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus spp. Intestinal Carriage among High-Risk Patients in University Hospitals in Serbia. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11091228. [PMID: 36140006 PMCID: PMC9495008 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11091228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The predictors of intestinal carriage of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp. (VRE) among high-risk patients in the counties of the Southeast Europe Region are insufficiently investigated, yet they could be of key importance in infection control. The aim of the study was to identify risk factors associated with fecal VRE colonization among high-risk inpatients in university hospitals in Serbia. The study comprised 268 inpatients from three university hospitals. Data on patient demographics and clinical characteristics, length of hospital stay, therapy, and procedures were obtained from medical records. Chi-squared tests and univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed. Compared to the hemodialysis departments, stay in the geriatric departments, ICUs, and haemato-oncology departments increased the risk for VRE colonization 7.6, 5.4, and 5.5 times, respectively. Compared to inpatients who were hospitalized 48 h before stool sampling for VRE isolation, inpatients hospitalized 3–7, 8–15, and longer than 16 days before sampling had 5.0-, 4.7-, and 6.6-fold higher risk for VRE colonization, respectively. The use of cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones increased the risk for VRE colonization by 2.2 and 1.9 times, respectively. The age ≥ 65 years increased the risk for VRE colonization 2.3 times. In comparison to the University Clinical Centre of Serbia, the hospital stays at Zemun and Zvezdara University Medical Centres were identified as a protector factors. The obtained results could be valuable in predicting the fecal VRE colonization status at patient admission and consequent implementation of infection control measures targeting at-risk inpatients where VRE screening is not routinely performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Janjusevic
- Institute of Virology, Vaccines and Sera “Torlak”, 11152 Belgrade, Serbia
- Correspondence:
| | - Ivana Cirkovic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Rajna Minic
- Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11129 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Goran Stevanovic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Clinic for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ivan Soldatovic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Institute of Medical Statistics, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Biljana Mihaljevic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Institute of Hematology, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ana Vidovic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Institute of Hematology, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ljiljana Markovic Denic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Institute of Epidemiology, 11129 Belgrade, Serbia
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11
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Acuña-Amador L, Quesada-Gómez C, Rodríguez C. Clostridioides difficile in Latin America: A comprehensive review of literature (1984-2021). Anaerobe 2022; 74:102547. [PMID: 35337973 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2022.102547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
This narrative review summarizes literature on C. difficile and C. difficile infections (CDI) that emerged from Latin America (LA) between 1984 and 2021. The revised information includes papers in English, Spanish, or Portuguese that were retrieved from the databases Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scielo, and Lilacs. Information is presented chronologically and segregated in subregions, focusing on clinical presentation, risk factors, detection and typing methods, prevalence and incidence rates, circulating strains, and, when available, phenotypic traits, such as antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. Studies dealing with cases, clinical aspects of CDI, and performance evaluations of diagnostic methods predominated. However, they showed substantial differences in case definitions, measuring units, populations, and experimental designs. Although a handful of autochthonous strains were identified, predominantly in Brazil and Costa Rica, the presentation and epidemiology of CDI in LA were highly comparable to what has been reported in other regions of the world. Few laboratories isolate and type this bacterium and even less generate whole genome sequences or perform basic science on C. difficile. Less than ten countries lead academic productivity on C. difficile or CDI-related topics, and information from various countries in Central America and the Caribbean is still lacking. The review ends with a global interpretation of the data and recommendations to further develop and consolidate this discipline in LA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Acuña-Amador
- Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica; Laboratorio de Investigación en Bacteriología Anaerobia (LIBA), Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica; Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET), Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica.
| | - Carlos Quesada-Gómez
- Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica; Laboratorio de Investigación en Bacteriología Anaerobia (LIBA), Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica; Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET), Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica.
| | - César Rodríguez
- Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica; Laboratorio de Investigación en Bacteriología Anaerobia (LIBA), Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica; Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET), Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica.
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12
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Chaves-Cordero C, Quesada-Gómez C, Chaves-Olarte E, Barquero-Calvo E. Human neutrophils are resistant to Clostridioides difficile toxin B. Anaerobe 2022; 74:102553. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2022.102553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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13
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Simpson HL, Roberts CL, Thompson LM, Leiper CR, Gittens N, Trotter E, Duckworth CA, Papoutsopoulou S, Miyajima F, Roberts P, O'Kennedy N, Rhodes JM, Campbell BJ. Soluble Non-Starch Polysaccharides From Plantain ( Musa x paradisiaca L.) Diminish Epithelial Impact of Clostridioides difficile. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:766293. [PMID: 34955836 PMCID: PMC8707065 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.766293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. Adhesion of this Gram-positive pathogen to the intestinal epithelium is a crucial step in CDI, with recurrence and relapse of disease dependent on epithelial interaction of its endospores. Close proximity, or adhesion of, hypervirulent strains to the intestinal mucosa are also likely to be necessary for the release of C. difficile toxins, which when internalized, result in intestinal epithelial cell rounding, damage, inflammation, loss of barrier function and diarrhoea. Interrupting these C. difficile-epithelium interactions could therefore represent a promising therapeutic strategy to prevent and treat CDI. Intake of dietary fibre is widely recognised as being beneficial for intestinal health, and we have previously shown that soluble non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) from plantain banana (Musa spp.), can block epithelial adhesion and invasion of a number of gut pathogens, such as E. coli and Salmonellae. Here, we assessed the action of plantain NSP, and a range of alternative soluble plant fibres, for inhibitory action on epithelial interactions of C. difficile clinical isolates, purified endospore preparations and toxins. We found that plantain NSP possessed ability to disrupt epithelial adhesion of C. difficile vegetative cells and spores, with inhibitory activity against C. difficile found within the acidic (pectin-rich) polysaccharide component, through interaction with the intestinal epithelium. Similar activity was found with NSP purified from broccoli and leek, although seen to be less potent than NSP from plantain. Whilst plantain NSP could not block the interaction and intracellular action of purified C. difficile toxins, it significantly diminished the epithelial impact of C. difficile, reducing both bacteria and toxin induced inflammation, activation of caspase 3/7 and cytotoxicity in human intestinal cell-line and murine intestinal organoid cultures. Dietary supplementation with soluble NSP from plantain may therefore confer a protective effect in CDI patients by preventing adhesion of C. difficile to the mucosa, i.e. a “contrabiotic” effect, and diminishing its epithelial impact. This suggests that plantain soluble dietary fibre may be a therapeutically effective nutritional product for use in the prevention or treatment of CDI and antibiotic-associated diarrhoea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah L Simpson
- The Henry Wellcome Laboratories of Molecular & Cellular Gastroenterology, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Carol L Roberts
- The Henry Wellcome Laboratories of Molecular & Cellular Gastroenterology, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Louise M Thompson
- The Henry Wellcome Laboratories of Molecular & Cellular Gastroenterology, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Cameron R Leiper
- The Henry Wellcome Laboratories of Molecular & Cellular Gastroenterology, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Nehana Gittens
- The Henry Wellcome Laboratories of Molecular & Cellular Gastroenterology, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Ellie Trotter
- The Henry Wellcome Laboratories of Molecular & Cellular Gastroenterology, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Carrie A Duckworth
- The Henry Wellcome Laboratories of Molecular & Cellular Gastroenterology, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Stamatia Papoutsopoulou
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.,Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Fabio Miyajima
- Wolfson Centre for Personalised Medicine, Department of Molecular & Clinical Pharmacology, Institute of Systems, Molecular & Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.,Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Eusébio, Brazil
| | - Paul Roberts
- Department of Microbiology, Liverpool Clinical Laboratories, Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom.,School for Medicine and Clinical Practice, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
| | - Niamh O'Kennedy
- Provexis PLC, c/o The University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan M Rhodes
- The Henry Wellcome Laboratories of Molecular & Cellular Gastroenterology, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Barry J Campbell
- The Henry Wellcome Laboratories of Molecular & Cellular Gastroenterology, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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14
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Castro-Córdova P, Mendoza-León MJ, Paredes-Sabja D. Using a ligate intestinal loop mouse model to investigate Clostridioides difficile adherence to the intestinal mucosa in aged mice. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0261081. [PMID: 34936648 PMCID: PMC8694449 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Interaction of Clostridioides difficile spores with the intestinal mucosa contributes to the persistence and recurrence of the infection. Advanced age is one of the main risk factors for C. difficile infection and recurrence of the disease. However, interaction of C. difficile spores with the intestinal mucosa during aging has not been evaluated. In the present work, using intestinal ligated loop technique in a mouse model, we analyzed C. difficile spore adherence and internalization to the ileum and colonic mucosa during aging. Additionally, we provide visual documentation of the critical steps of the procedure. Consequently, our data suggest that spore internalization in the ileum and colonic mucosa is higher in elderly mice rather than adults or young mice. Also, our data suggest that spore adherence to the ileum and colonic mucosa decreases with aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Castro-Córdova
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Microbiota-Host Interactions and Clostridia Research Group, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
- ANID-Millennium Science Initiative Program—Millennium Nucleus in the Biology of the Intestinal Microbiota, Santiago, Chile
| | - María José Mendoza-León
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Microbiota-Host Interactions and Clostridia Research Group, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
- ANID-Millennium Science Initiative Program—Millennium Nucleus in the Biology of the Intestinal Microbiota, Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniel Paredes-Sabja
- ANID-Millennium Science Initiative Program—Millennium Nucleus in the Biology of the Intestinal Microbiota, Santiago, Chile
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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15
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Obeid KM, Sapkota S, Cao Q, Richmond S, Watson AP, Karadag FK, Young JAH, Pruett T, Weisdorf DJ, Ustun C. Early Clostridioides difficile infection characterizations, risks, and outcomes in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell and solid organ transplant recipients. Transpl Infect Dis 2021; 24:e13720. [PMID: 34455662 DOI: 10.1111/tid.13720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) frequently complicates allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell (allo-HCT) and solid organ transplantation (SOT). METHODS We retrospectively analyzed risk factors and outcomes of CDI occurring within 30 days of transplant. RESULTS Between March 2010 and June 2015, 466 allo-HCT and 1454 SOT were performed. The CDI cumulative incidence (95% CI) was 10% (8-13) and 4% (3-5), following allo-HCT and SOT, respectively (p < .01), occurring at a median (range) 7.5 days (1-30) and 11 (1-30), respectively (p = .18). In multivariate analysis, fluoroquinolones use within 14 days pre-transplantation was a risk factor for CDI following allo-HCT (HR 4.06 [95% CI 1.31-12.63], p = .02), and thoracic organ(s) transplantation was a risk factor for CDI following SOT (HR 3.03 [95% CI 1.31-6.98]) for lung and 3.90 (1.58-9.63) for heart and heart/kidney transplant, p = .02. Compared with no-CDI patients, the length of stay (LOS) was prolonged in both allo-HCT (35 days [19-141] vs. 29 [13-164], p < .01) and SOT with CDI (16.5 [4-101] vs. 7 [0-159], p < .01), though not directly attributed to CDI. In allo-HCT, severe acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) occurred more frequently in patients with CDI (33.3% vs. 15.8% without CDI, p = .01) and most aGVHD (87.5%) followed CDI. Non-relapse mortality or overall survival, not attributed to CDI, were also similar in both allo-HCT and SOT. CONCLUSIONS Early post-transplant CDI is frequent, associated with fluoroquinolones use in allo-HCT and the transplanted organ in SOT, and is associated with longer LOS in both the groups without difference in survival but with increased aGVHD in allo-HCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karam M Obeid
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Smarika Sapkota
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Qing Cao
- Biostatistics and Informatics, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Steven Richmond
- Hospitalist Division, Department of Medicine, Hennepin Healthcare Hospital, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Allison P Watson
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplant, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Jo-Anne H Young
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Timothy Pruett
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Daniel J Weisdorf
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplant, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Celalettin Ustun
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplant, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, Rush University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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16
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Opportunities for Nanomedicine in Clostridioides difficile Infection. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10080948. [PMID: 34438998 PMCID: PMC8388953 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10080948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile, a spore-forming bacterium, is a nosocomial infectious pathogen which can be found in animals as well. Although various antibiotics and disinfectants were developed, C. difficile infection (CDI) remains a serious health problem. C. difficile spores have complex structures and dormant characteristics that contribute to their resistance to harsh environments, successful transmission and recurrence. C. difficile spores can germinate quickly after being exposed to bile acid and co-germinant in a suitable environment. The vegetative cells produce endospores, and the mature spores are released from the hosts for dissemination of the pathogen. Therefore, concurrent elimination of C. difficile vegetative cells and inhibition of spore germination is essential for effective control of CDI. This review focused on the molecular pathogenesis of CDI and new trends in targeting both spores and vegetative cells of this pathogen, as well as the potential contribution of nanotechnologies for the effective management of CDI.
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17
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Virgínio Júnior GF, Coelho MG, de Toledo AF, Montenegro H, Coutinho LL, Bittar CMM. The Liquid Diet Composition Affects the Fecal Bacterial Community in Pre-weaning Dairy Calves. FRONTIERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2021.649468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Feeding a liquid diet to the newborn calf has considerable implications for developing the intestinal microbiota, as its composition can shift the population to a highly adapted microbiota. The present work evaluated 15 Holstein calves individually housed and fed one of the three liquid diets: I – whole milk (n = 5), II – milk replacer (22.9% CP; 16.2% fat; diluted to 14% solids; n = 5) and III – acidified whole milk to pH 4.5 with formic acid (n = 5). All animals received 6 L of liquid diet, divided into two meals, being weaned at week 8 of life. Calves also had free access to water and starter concentrate. After weaning, all calves were grouped on pasture, fed with starter concentrate, and hay ad libitum. The fecal samples were collected at birth (0) and at weeks 1, 2, 4, 8, and 10 of life. The bacterial community was assessed the through sequencing of the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene on the Illumina MiSeq platform and analyzed using the DADA2 pipeline. Diversity indices were not affected by the liquid diets, but by age (P < 0.001) with weeks 1 and 2 presenting lower diversity, evenness, and richness values. The bacterial community structure was affected by diet, age, and the interaction of these factors (P < 0.01). Twenty-eight bacterial phyla were identified in the fecal samples, and the most predominant phyla were Firmicutes (42.35%), Bacteroidota (39.37%), and Proteobacteria (9.36%). The most prevalent genera were Bacteroides (10.71%), Lactobacillus (8.11%), Alloprevotella (6.20%). Over the weeks, different genera were predominant, with some showing significant differences among treatments. The different liquid diets altered the fecal bacterial community during the pre-weaning period. However, differences in the initial colonization due to different liquid diets are alleviated after weaning, when animals share a common environment and solid diet composition.
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18
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The selenophosphate synthetase, selD, is important for Clostridioides difficile physiology. J Bacteriol 2021; 203:e0000821. [PMID: 33820795 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00008-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The endospore-forming pathogen, Clostridioides difficile, is the leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and is a significant burden on the community and healthcare. C. difficile, like all forms of life, incorporates selenium into proteins through a selenocysteine synthesis pathway. The known selenoproteins in C. difficile are involved in a metabolic process that uses amino acids as the sole carbon and nitrogen source (Stickland metabolism). The Stickland metabolic pathway requires the use of two selenium-containing reductases. In this study, we built upon our initial characterization of the CRISPR-Cas9-generated selD mutant by creating a CRISPR-Cas9-mediated restoration of the selD gene at the native locus. Here, we use these CRISPR-generated strains to analyze the importance of selenium-containing proteins on C. difficile physiology. SelD is the first enzyme in the pathway for selenoprotein synthesis and we found that multiple aspects of C. difficile physiology were affected (e.g., growth, sporulation, and outgrowth of a vegetative cell post-spore germination). Using RNAseq, we identified multiple candidate genes which likely aid the cell in overcoming the global loss of selenoproteins to grow in medium which is favorable for using Stickland metabolism. Our results suggest that the absence of selenophosphate (i.e., selenoprotein synthesis) leads to alterations to C. difficile physiology so that NAD+ can be regenerated by other pathways.Importance C. difficile is a Gram-positive, anaerobic gut pathogen which infects thousands of individuals each year. In order to stop the C. difficile lifecycle, other non-antibiotic treatment options are in urgent need of development. Towards this goal, we find that a metabolic process used by only a small fraction of the microbiota is important for C. difficile physiology - Stickland metabolism. Here, we use our CRISPR-Cas9 system to 'knock in' a copy of the selD gene into the deletion strain to restore selD at its native locus. Our findings support the hypothesis that selenium-containing proteins are important for several aspects of C. difficile physiology - from vegetative growth to spore formation and outgrowth post-germination.
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Henson MA. Computational modeling of the gut microbiota reveals putative metabolic mechanisms of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1008782. [PMID: 33617526 PMCID: PMC7932513 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately 30% of patients who have Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) will suffer at least one incident of reinfection. While the underlying causes of CDI recurrence are poorly understood, interactions between C. difficile and commensal gut bacteria are thought to play an important role. In this study, an in silico pipeline was used to process 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequence data of 225 stool samples from 93 CDI patients into sample-specific models of bacterial community metabolism. Clustered metabolite production rates generated from post-diagnosis samples generated a high Enterobacteriaceae abundance cluster containing disproportionately large numbers of recurrent samples and patients. This cluster was predicted to have significantly reduced capabilities for secondary bile acid synthesis but elevated capabilities for aromatic amino acid catabolism. When applied to 16S sequence data of 40 samples from fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) patients suffering from recurrent CDI and their stool donors, the community modeling method generated a high Enterobacteriaceae abundance cluster with a disproportionate large number of pre-FMT samples. This cluster also was predicted to exhibit reduced secondary bile acid synthesis and elevated aromatic amino acid catabolism. Collectively, these in silico predictions suggest that Enterobacteriaceae may create a gut environment favorable for C. difficile spore germination and/or toxin synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A. Henson
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States of America
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20
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Dudzicz S, Wiecek A, Adamczak M. Clostridioides difficile Infection in Chronic Kidney Disease-An Overview for Clinicians. J Clin Med 2021; 10:E196. [PMID: 33430465 PMCID: PMC7827228 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10020196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Increased incidence of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), occurrence of severe and complicated CDI, and more frequent occurrence of drug-resistant, recurrent or non-hospital CDI has become a worldwide clinical problem. CDI is more common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) than in the general population. CDI seems to be associated with frequent hospitalization, frequently used antibiotic therapy, dysbiosis, and abnormalities of the immune system observed in CKD patients. Dysbiosis is a common disorder found in CKD patients. It may be related to insufficient fiber content in the diet, reduced amount of consumed fluids and often reduced physical activity, constipation, impaired gastrointestinal motility, multidrug pharmacotherapy, and uremic milieu in CKD stage 5. In patients with CKD the clinical manifestations of CDI are similar to the general population; however, more frequent recurrence of CDI and higher prevalence of severe CDI are reported. Moreover, the increase in CDI related mortality is observed more in CKD patients than in the general population. The aim of this review paper is to summarize the current knowledge concerning the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical picture, and prevention and treatment in CKD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrzej Wiecek
- Department of Nephrology, Transplantation and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, 40-027 Katowice, Poland; (S.D.); (M.A.)
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Xu Q, Li Y, Zheng Y, Chen Y, Xu X, Wang M. Clostridium difficile toxin B-induced colonic inflammation is mediated by the FOXO3/PPM1B pathway in fetal human colon epithelial cells. Am J Transl Res 2020; 12:6204-6219. [PMID: 33194024 PMCID: PMC7653611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) toxin B (TcdB) is as an inflammatory enterotoxin that accounts for manifestations of widespread healthcare-associated C. difficile infection, including colonic inflammation. The present work explored the molecular mechanism by which TcdB activates innate immunity and stimulates pro-inflammatory cytokine release. Fetal human colon epithelial cells (FHCs) were treated with recombinant TcdB protein. Cell growth inhibition and apoptosis were measured with Cell Counting Kit-8 and Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate Apoptosis Detection Kit, respectively. Flow cytometry analysis was also performed. Inflammatory cytokine induction was determined with enzykeme-linked immunosorbent assay analyses. Protein expression was assessed by western blot analysis. Gene overexpression and knockdown were performed with lentiviral transduction. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to examine gene expression. Dual-luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation were implemented to explore transcriptional regulation. Mouse colon tissues were analyzed with hematoxylin and eosin staining. The results show that TcdB-induced cell growth and apoptosis and enhanced expression of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha in FHCs. We identified protein phosphatase magnesium-dependent 1B (PPM1B) as the key mediator promoting the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-κB p65, which accounted for the increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines. The findings demonstrate that PPM1B expression is directly regulated by the AKT/FOXO3 signaling pathway in FHCs. We confirmed the molecular mechanism with in vivo studies using a mouse model infected with C. difficile and treated with a phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT signaling inhibitor. In conclusion, TcdB induces inflammation in human colon epithelial cells by regulating the AKT/FOXO3/PPM1B pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Xu
- Institute of Antibiotics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan UniversityShanghai 200040, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology of Antibiotics, National Health and Family Planning CommisionShanghai 200040, China
| | - Ying Li
- Institute of Antibiotics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan UniversityShanghai 200040, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology of Antibiotics, National Health and Family Planning CommisionShanghai 200040, China
| | - Yuejuan Zheng
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghai 201203, China
| | - Yijian Chen
- Institute of Antibiotics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan UniversityShanghai 200040, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology of Antibiotics, National Health and Family Planning CommisionShanghai 200040, China
| | - Xiaogang Xu
- Institute of Antibiotics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan UniversityShanghai 200040, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology of Antibiotics, National Health and Family Planning CommisionShanghai 200040, China
| | - Minggui Wang
- Institute of Antibiotics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan UniversityShanghai 200040, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology of Antibiotics, National Health and Family Planning CommisionShanghai 200040, China
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Carius BM, Liang SY, Koyfman A, Long B. Clostridioides difficile infection evaluation and management in the emergency department. Am J Emerg Med 2020; 38:2203-2208. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2020.06.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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Innate Lymphoid Cells: Important Regulators of Host-Bacteria Interaction for Border Defense. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8091342. [PMID: 32887435 PMCID: PMC7563982 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8091342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are a recently discovered type of innate immune lymphocyte. They include three different groups classified by the nature of the transcription factors required for their development and by the cytokines they produce. ILCs mainly reside in tissues close to the mucosal barrier such as the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. Due to their close proximity to the mucosal surface, ILCs are exposed to a variety of both commensal and pathogenic bacteria. Under non-pathological conditions, ILCs have been shown to be important regulators for the maintenance of tissue homeostasis by mutual interactions with the microbiome. Besides these important functions at homeostasis, several studies have also provided emerging evidence that ILCs contribute to defense against pathogenic bacterial infection by responding rapidly to the pathogens as well as orchestrating other immune cells. In this review, we summarize recent advances in our understanding of the interactions of ILCs and bacteria, with special focus on the function of the different ILC subsets in bacterial infections.
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Lawler AJ, Lambert PA, Worthington T. A Revised Understanding of Clostridioides difficile Spore Germination. Trends Microbiol 2020; 28:744-752. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2020.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Dudzicz S, Adamczak M, Więcek A. Clostridium difficile infection in patients after solid organ transplantations. POSTEP HIG MED DOSW 2020. [DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0014.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium difficile is the most common identified pathogen causing nosocomial and antibiotic-associated diarrhea. The incidence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has increased over the last decades. The occurrence of severe and recurrent CDI is also more often recently observed. Patients after solid organs transplantation are more prone to Clostridium difficile infection that the general population. This is associated mainly with immunosuppressive therapy, more frequent hospitalizations and frequent antibiotic therapy. Due to the growing number of CDI, it is important to correctly diagnose this infection and to implement the proper treatment. The main drugs used to treat CDI are vancomycin and fidaxomicin. In the case of CDI recurrence, fecal microbiota transplantation remains to be considered. The rationale use of antibiotics and avoiding proton pump inhibitors may also prevent CDI. Results of recent observational study suggest that one of the probiotics – Lactobacillus plantarum 299v prevents CDI in patients during immunosuppressive therapy. The efficacy and safety of using probiotics in CDI prophylaxis in this group of patients requires, however, further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Dudzicz
- Department of Nephrology, Transplantation and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Marcin Adamczak
- Department of Nephrology, Transplantation and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Andrzej Więcek
- Department of Nephrology, Transplantation and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
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Gebreyes WA, Jackwood D, de Oliveira CJB, Lee CW, Hoet AE, Thakur S. Molecular Epidemiology of Infectious Zoonotic and Livestock Diseases. Microbiol Spectr 2020; 8:10.1128/microbiolspec.ame-0011-2019. [PMID: 32220263 PMCID: PMC10773240 DOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.ame-0011-2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Zoonotic and livestock diseases are very important globally both in terms of direct impact on human and animal health and in terms of their relationship to the livelihood of farming communities, as they affect income generation and food security and have other, indirect consequences on human lives. More than two-thirds of emerging infectious diseases in humans today are known to be of animal origin. Bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections that originate from animals, including hypervirulent and multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens, such as livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA), invasive nontyphoidal Salmonella of animal origin, hyperviruent Clostridium difficile, and others, are of major significance to public health. Understanding the origin, risk factors, transmission, prevention, and control of such strains has been a challenge for various reasons, particularly due to the transdisciplinary partnership between and among human, environment, and animal health sectors. MDR bacteria greatly complicate the clinical management of human infections. Food animal farms, pets in communities, and veterinary hospital environments are major sources of such infections. However, attributing such infections and pinpointing sources requires highly discriminatory molecular methods as outlined in other parts of this curated series. Genotyping methods, such as multilocus sequence typing, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, restriction fragment length polymorphism, and several others, have been used to decipher sources of foodborne and other zoonotic infectious diseases. In recent years, whole-genome-sequence-based approaches have been increasingly used for molecular epidemiology of diseases at the interface of humans, animals, and the environment. This part of the series highlights the major zoonotic and foodborne disease issues. *This article is part of a curated collection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wondwossen A Gebreyes
- Global One Health initiative (GOHi), The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Daral Jackwood
- Food Animal Health Research Program, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, OH 44691
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Celso Jose Bruno de Oliveira
- Department of Animal Science, College for Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Paraiba (CCA/UFPB), Areia, PB, Brazil
- Global One Health initiative (GOHi), The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Chang-Won Lee
- Food Animal Health Research Program, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, OH 44691
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Armando E Hoet
- Global One Health initiative (GOHi), The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Siddhartha Thakur
- Population Health and Pathobiology (PHP), College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606
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Clostridioides difficile Infection Induces an Inferior IgG Response to That Induced by Immunization and Is Associated with a Lack of T Follicular Helper Cell and Memory B Cell Expansion. Infect Immun 2020; 88:IAI.00829-19. [PMID: 31871095 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00829-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The intracellularly active bacterial toxin TcdB is a major Clostridioides difficile virulence factor that contributes to inflammation and tissue damage during disease. Immunization with an inactive TcdB fragment prevents C. difficile infection (CDI)-associated pathology. The protective immune response against inactive TcdB involves development of antigen-specific memory B cells and long-lived plasma cells that encode TcdB-neutralizing antibodies. Unlike the response to inactive TcdB, very little is known about the host humoral immune response to C. difficile and TcdB during primary and recurrent infection. Here, we used a murine model of C. difficile disease recurrence to demonstrate that an initial infection induced a serum IgM and mucosal IgA response against the toxin, but a low serum IgG response, which is associated with a lack of protection against disease during reinfection. Infection induced a partial expansion of the T follicular helper cell compartment, essential for B cell memory responses, and, consistent with that, failed to significantly expand the memory B cell compartment. Further, infection failed to stimulate the memory B cell compartment in preimmunized mice, although they were protected against associated disease. These results delineate the key humoral immune events that follow primary and recurrent C. difficile infection and provide a compelling inverse correlation between B cell memory and disease recurrence.
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Obande GA, Banga Singh KK. Current and Future Perspectives on Isothermal Nucleic Acid Amplification Technologies for Diagnosing Infections. Infect Drug Resist 2020; 13:455-483. [PMID: 32104017 PMCID: PMC7024801 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s217571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acid amplification technology (NAAT) has assumed a critical position in disease diagnosis in recent times and contributed significantly to healthcare. Application of these methods has resulted in a more sensitive, accurate and rapid diagnosis of infectious diseases than older traditional methods like culture-based identification. NAAT such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is widely applied but seldom available to resource-limited settings. Isothermal amplification (IA) methods provide a rapid, sensitive, specific, simpler and less expensive procedure for detecting nucleic acid from samples. However, not all of these IA techniques find regular applications in infectious diseases diagnosis. Disease diagnosis and treatment could be improved, and the rapidly increasing problem of antimicrobial resistance reduced, with improvement, adaptation, and application of isothermal amplification methods in clinical settings, especially in developing countries. This review centres on some isothermal techniques that have found documented applications in infectious diseases diagnosis, highlighting their principles, development, strengths, setbacks and imminent potentials for use at points of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Godwin Attah Obande
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Federal University Lafia, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
| | - Kirnpal Kaur Banga Singh
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia
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Bowman JA, Utter GH. Evolving Strategies to Manage Clostridium difficile Colitis. J Gastrointest Surg 2020; 24:484-491. [PMID: 31768834 PMCID: PMC7031036 DOI: 10.1007/s11605-019-04478-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Clostridium difficile infection remains a common nosocomial illness with a significant impact on health care delivery. As molecular phenotyping of this organism has changed our understanding of its transmission and virulence, so too have diagnostic methods and treatment strategies evolved in recent years. The burden of this infection falls predominantly on elderly patients with comorbidities who have recently received antibiotics. Oral or enteral vancomycin is now preferred for first-line antimicrobial treatment across the disease spectrum, including mild-moderate initial cases. Fidaxomicin (a novel macrolide antibiotic), bezlotoxumab (a monoclonal antibody against toxin TcdB), and fecal microbiota transplantation expand the therapeutic armamentarium, particularly for recurrent infection. Operative treatment should be reserved for patients with fulminant infection, and early identification of patients who would benefit from an operation remains a challenge. Less invasive surgical options-such as laparoscopic diverting ileostomy with colonic irrigation-may improve survival and other outcomes relative to total abdominal colectomy and represent an attractive alternative particularly for frail patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Bowman
- Department of Surgery, University of California, Davis, Medical Center, 2335 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Garth H Utter
- Department of Surgery, University of California, Davis, Medical Center, 2335 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
- Department of Surgery Outcomes Research Group (Utter), University of California, Davis, Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA.
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Vent-Schmidt J, Attara GP, Lisko D, Steiner TS. Patient Experiences with Clostridioides difficile Infection: Results of a Canada-Wide Survey. Patient Prefer Adherence 2020; 14:33-43. [PMID: 32021115 PMCID: PMC6954101 DOI: 10.2147/ppa.s229539] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is the most prevalent cause of nosocomial infectious diarrhea in Canada and is highly correlated with antibiotic use and contact with health care facilitates. The often-severe symptoms of CDI include diarrhea, dehydration, and abdominal pain. Patients often relapse following symptom resolution, resulting in increased morbidity. Previous research on the impact of CDI centered around the health-care system, clinician perspectives and economic burden, but not on patient experiences. The purpose of this study was to understand the impact of CDI on patients in Canada. METHODS The Gastrointestinal Society conducted online surveys and gathered data from 167 qualifying participants, who were either patients or their non-treating caregivers. Quantitative parameters were analyzed by descriptive and comparative statistics and contextualized with qualitative insights derived from thematic analysis of open-ended questions. RESULTS Our findings, which focused on clinical parameters such as prior exposure to health-care settings, antibiotic use, and patients' symptoms, mirrored findings from previous research. Interestingly, most surveyed respondents experienced delays in diagnosis and treatment; 29% waited 6-30 days and 10% over 30 days. This delayed diagnosis was further complicated by the report that 62% of respondents did not experience symptom resolution within 7 days of initiating treatment. Importantly, our results suggest a lasting impact after the resolution of CDI and we saw a reduction of self-assessed quality of life from prior to post CDI. Patients' priorities regarding their experience with CDI focused around concerns about the health-care system, particularly time to diagnosis and treatment, concerns about antibiotic usage and needs from health-care providers. CONCLUSION This is the first Canadian report on patients' experience with CDI. Our data highlight the symptom-related impact on patients and the long-lasting effect on the quality of life including emotional impact. Reducing time to diagnosis and improving patient education are important priorities to attenuate the impact on patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Vent-Schmidt
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BCV6T 1Z3, Canada
- Department of Biology, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Langley, BCV3A 8G9, Canada
| | - Gail P Attara
- Gastrointestinal Society, Canadian Society of Intestinal Research, Vancouver, BCV5R 5W2, Canada
| | - Daniel Lisko
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BCV6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Theodore S Steiner
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BCV6T 1Z3, Canada
- Correspondence: Theodore S Steiner Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 950 West 28 Ave, Vancouver, BCV5Z 4H4, CanadaTel +1 604 845 2000 ext. 4910 Email
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Li Z, Li X, Jian M, Geleta GS, Wang Z. Two-Dimensional Layered Nanomaterial-Based Electrochemical Biosensors for Detecting Microbial Toxins. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 12:E20. [PMID: 31906152 PMCID: PMC7020412 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12010020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxin detection is an important issue in numerous fields, such as agriculture/food safety, environmental monitoring, and homeland security. During the past two decades, nanotechnology has been extensively used to develop various biosensors for achieving fast, sensitive, selective and on-site analysis of toxins. In particular, the two dimensional layered (2D) nanomaterials (such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs)) and their nanocomposites have been employed as label and/or biosensing transducers to construct electrochemical biosensors for cost-effective detection of toxins with high sensitivity and specificity. This is because the 2D nanomaterials have good electrical conductivity and a large surface area with plenty of active groups for conjugating 2D nanomaterials with the antibodies and/or aptamers of the targeted toxins. Herein, we summarize recent developments in the application of 2D nanomaterial-based electrochemical biosensors for detecting toxins with a particular focus on microbial toxins including bacterial toxins, fungal toxins and algal toxins. The integration of 2D nanomaterials with some existing antibody/aptamer technologies into electrochemical biosensors has led to an unprecedented impact on improving the assaying performance of microbial toxins, and has shown great promise in public health and environmental protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuheng Li
- Jilin Provincial Institute of Education, Changchun 130022, China;
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Changchun 130022, China; (X.L.); (M.J.)
| | - Xiaotong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Changchun 130022, China; (X.L.); (M.J.)
| | - Minghong Jian
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Changchun 130022, China; (X.L.); (M.J.)
| | - Girma Selale Geleta
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Changchun 130022, China; (X.L.); (M.J.)
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma 378, Ethiopia
| | - Zhenxin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Changchun 130022, China; (X.L.); (M.J.)
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Type 3 Immunity during Clostridioides difficile Infection: Too Much of a Good Thing? Infect Immun 2019; 88:IAI.00306-19. [PMID: 31570564 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00306-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides (formerly known as Clostridium) difficile is the leading cause of hospital-acquired gastrointestinal infections in the United States and one of three urgent health care threats identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. C. difficile disease is mediated by the production of toxins that disrupt the epithelial barrier and cause a robust host inflammatory response. Studies in humans as well as animal models of disease have shown that the type of immune response generated against the infection dictates the outcome of disease, often irrespective of bacterial burden. Much of the focus on immunity during C. difficile infection (CDI) has been on type 3 immunity because of the established role for this arm of the immune system in other gastrointestinal inflammatory conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). For example, interleukin-22 (IL-22) production by group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) protects against pathobionts translocating across the epithelium during CDI. On the other hand, interleukin-17 (IL-17) production by Th17 cells increases CDI-associated mortality. Additionally, neutropenia has been associated with increased susceptibility to CDI in humans, but increased neutrophilia in mouse models correlates with host pathology. Taking the data together, these findings suggest dual roles for type 3 immune responses during infection. Here, we review the complex role of type 3 immunity during CDI and delineate what is known about innate and adaptive cellular immunity as well as the downstream effector cytokines known to be important during this infection.
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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.
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Early Readmission Predicts Increased Mortality in Cirrhosis Patients After Clostridium difficile Infection. J Clin Gastroenterol 2019; 53:e322-e327. [PMID: 30045168 DOI: 10.1097/mcg.0000000000001090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
GOALS We sought to determine the impact of Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) in cirrhosis by evaluating trends and outcomes of early readmission and mortality. BACKGROUND The incidence of CDI in cirrhotics is increasing. STUDY We analyzed the Nationwide Readmissions Database (2011 to 2014) for hospitalized patients with CDI and differentiated them by presence of cirrhosis. Baseline characteristics, surgical rates, and outcomes were collected. The primary outcomes of interest included readmission and mortality rates. RESULTS Of 366,283 patients hospitalized with CDI, 12,274 (3.4%) had cirrhosis, of which 7741 (63.1%) were decompensated. Among patients with CDI, 30-day readmission rates (33% vs. 24%), index admission mortality (5% vs. 2.5%), and calendar-year mortality (9% vs. 4%) were higher in patients with cirrhosis compared with those without cirrhosis. Recurrent CDI (rCDI) (46%) and cirrhosis-related complications (34.6%) were the most common reasons for readmission. Patients with decompensated cirrhosis were more likely to be readmitted within 30-days than those with compensated cirrhosis [odds ratio (OR), 1.19; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03-1.36]. Multivariable analyses revealed that among patients with cirrhosis, index colectomy (OR, 6.50; 95% CI, 1.61-26.24) and decompensation (OR, 3.61; 95% CI, 2.49-5.23) predicted index admission mortality. In addition, 30-day readmission (OR, 3.71; 95% CI, 2.95-4.67) and decompensated cirrhosis (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.17-1.89) independently predicted calendar-year mortality. CONCLUSIONS One-third of CDI patients with cirrhosis were readmitted within 30-days, most commonly because of rCDI. The mortality associated with CDI in patients with cirrhosis is high, with decompensation and 30-day readmission heralding a poor prognosis. Reducing rCDI-related readmissions may potentially improve these outcomes.
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Bamber AI, Fitzsimmons K, Cunniffe JG, Beasor CC, Mackintosh CA, Hobbs G. Diagnosis ofClostridium difficile-associated disease: examination of multiple algorithms using toxin EIA, glutamate dehydrogenase EIA and loop-mediated isothermal amplification. Br J Biomed Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/09674845.2012.12069136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A. I. Bamber
- Medical Microbiology, Wirral University Teaching Hospitals, Clatterbridge Hospital, Bebington, Wirral
| | - K. Fitzsimmons
- Medical Microbiology, Wirral University Teaching Hospitals, Clatterbridge Hospital, Bebington, Wirral
| | - J. G. Cunniffe
- Medical Microbiology, Wirral University Teaching Hospitals, Clatterbridge Hospital, Bebington, Wirral
| | - C. C. Beasor
- Medical Microbiology, Wirral University Teaching Hospitals, Clatterbridge Hospital, Bebington, Wirral
| | - C. A. Mackintosh
- Medical Microbiology, Wirral University Teaching Hospitals, Clatterbridge Hospital, Bebington, Wirral
| | - G. Hobbs
- Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool, UK
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Wilcox MH, Rahav G, Dubberke ER, Gabryelski L, Davies K, Berry C, Eves K, Ellison MC, Guris D, Dorr MB. Influence of Diagnostic Method on Outcomes in Phase 3 Clinical Trials of Bezlotoxumab for the Prevention of Recurrent Clostridioides difficile Infection: A Post Hoc Analysis of MODIFY I/II. Open Forum Infect Dis 2019; 6:5543265. [PMID: 31375837 PMCID: PMC6677672 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofz293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The optimum diagnostic test method for Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) remains controversial due to variation in accuracy in identifying true CDI. This post hoc analysis examined the impact of CDI diagnostic testing methodology on efficacy outcomes in phase 3 MODIFY I/II trials. Methods In MODIFY I/II (NCT01241552/NCT01513239), participants received bezlotoxumab (10 mg/kg) or placebo during anti-CDI treatment for primary/recurrent CDI (rCDI). Using MODIFY I/II pooled data, initial clinical cure (ICC) and rCDI were assessed in participants diagnosed at baseline using direct detection methods (enzyme immunoassay [EIA]/cell cytotoxicity assay [CCA]) or indirect methods to determine toxin-producing ability (toxin gene polymerase chain reaction [tgPCR]/toxigenic culture). Results Of 1554 participants who received bezlotoxumab or placebo in MODIFY I/II, 781 (50.3%) and 773 (49.7%) were diagnosed by tgPCR/toxigenic culture and toxin EIA/CCA, respectively. Participants diagnosed by toxin EIA/CCA were more likely to be inpatients, older, and have severe CDI. In bezlotoxumab recipients, ICC rates were slightly higher in the toxin EIA/CCA subgroup (81.7%) vs tgPCR/toxigenic culture (78.4%). Bezlotoxumab significantly reduced the rCDI rate vs placebo in both subgroups; however, the magnitude of reduction was substantially larger in participants diagnosed by toxin EIA/CCA (relative difference, –46.6%) vs tgPCR/toxigenic culture (–29.1%). In bezlotoxumab recipients, the rCDI rate was lower in the toxin EIA/CCA subgroup (17.6%) vs tgPCR/toxigenic culture (23.6%; absolute difference, –6.0%; 95% confidence interval, –12.4 to 0.3; relative difference, –25.4%). Conclusions Diagnostic tests that detect fecal C. difficile toxins are of fundamental importance to accurately diagnosing CDI, including in clinical trial design, ensuring that therapeutic efficacy is not underestimated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark H Wilcox
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals & University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
| | - Galia Rahav
- Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, & Sackler Medical School, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Erik R Dubberke
- Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | | | - Kerrie Davies
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals & University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
| | - Claire Berry
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals & University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
| | - Karen Eves
- Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey
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The epidemiology of Clostridioides difficile infection in Brazil: A systematic review covering thirty years. Anaerobe 2019; 58:13-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2019.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 03/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Differential effects of Clostridium difficile toxins on ion secretion and cell integrity in human intestinal cells. Pediatr Res 2019; 85:1048-1054. [PMID: 30851723 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-019-0365-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Revised: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxin A (TcdA), toxin B (TcdB), and binary toxin (CDT) produced by Clostridium difficile (CD) are thought to play a key role in inducing diarrhea. The aim of this study was to investigate the individual and combined roles of CD toxins in inducing enterotoxic and cytotoxic effect. METHODS Ion secretion and epithelial damage were evaluated in the Ussing chambers as measure of enterotoxic or cytotoxic effect, respectively, in human-derived intestinal cells. RESULTS When added to the mucosal side of Caco-2 cells, TcdB, but not TcdA, induced ion secretion and its effects increased in the presence of TcdA. CDT also induced ion secretion when added to either the mucosal or serosal compartment. Serosal addition of TcdB induced epithelial damage consistent with its cytotoxic effect. However, mucosal addition of TcdB had similar effects, but only in the presence of TcdA. CDT induced epithelial damage when added to the serosal side of cell monolayers, and this was associated with a late onset but prolonged effect. All data were replicated using human colon biopsies. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that CD, through the combined and direct activity of its three toxins, induces integrated and synergic enterotoxic and cytotoxic effects on the intestinal epithelium.
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Alimolaei M, Rahimi HR, Ezatkhah M, Shamsaddini Bafti M, Afzali S. Prevalence, characteristics and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Clostridioides difficile isolated from hospitals in Iran. J Glob Antimicrob Resist 2019; 19:22-27. [PMID: 30825696 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2019.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Clostridioides (previously Clostridium) difficile is a major growing cause of nosocomial diarrhoea known as C. difficile infection (CDI). This study investigated the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of C. difficile isolated from patients suffering from diarrhoea in Iran between 2016-2018. METHODS A total of 151 stool specimens were collected and were screened for the presence of C. difficile. Specimens were examined for toxins by culture, enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and PCR. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed for 12 antibiotics (metronidazole, vancomycin, clindamycin, tetracycline, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, fusidic acid, piperacillin, piperacillin/tazobactam and rifampicin) by the disk diffusion method according to the guidelines of the CLSI, EUCAST and CA-SFM. RESULTS Of 151 stool specimens, 66 (43.7%) were positive for C. difficile by PCR, whereas 2 (1.3%) were only positive for C. difficile toxins based on EIA. A total of 292 clostridial isolates were obtained from specimens by culture, of which 133 (45.5%) were finally confirmed as C. difficile by PCR. Of 121 isolates resistant to at least one antibiotic, 107 (88.4%) were resistant to three or more antimicrobials and thus were defined as multidrug-resistant (MDR). Different and diverse resistance patterns to the antimicrobial drugs were seen among the isolates. CONCLUSION This is the first report of the isolation of C. difficile from different governmental hospitals of Iran and indicates that CDI might be an important nosocomial infection in different hospital wards. Moreover, this study provides a comprehensive picture of the MDR phenotype characteristics of C. difficile isolates in Iran.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojtaba Alimolaei
- Pharmaceutics Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran; Department of Research and Technology, Kerman Branch, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Kerman, Iran.
| | - Hamid-Reza Rahimi
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Majid Ezatkhah
- Department of Anaerobic Bacterial Vaccine Research and Production, Kerman Branch, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Kerman, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Shamsaddini Bafti
- Department of Anaerobic Bacterial Vaccine Research and Production, Kerman Branch, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Kerman, Iran
| | - Sadegh Afzali
- Department of Research and Technology, Kerman Branch, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Kerman, Iran
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Metabolic Modeling of Clostridium difficile Associated Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota. Processes (Basel) 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/pr7020097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent in vitro experiments have demonstrated the ability of the pathogen Clostridium difficile and commensal gut bacteria to form biofilms on surfaces, and biofilm development in vivo is likely. Various studies have reported that 3%–15% of healthy adults are asymptomatically colonized with C. difficile, with commensal species providing resistance against C. difficile pathogenic colonization. C. difficile infection (CDI) is observed at a higher rate in immunocompromised patients previously treated with broad spectrum antibiotics that disrupt the commensal microbiota and reduce competition for available nutrients, resulting in imbalance among commensal species and dysbiosis conducive to C. difficile propagation. To investigate the metabolic interactions of C. difficile with commensal species from the three dominant phyla in the human gut, we developed a multispecies biofilm model by combining genome-scale metabolic reconstructions of C. difficile, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron from the phylum Bacteroidetes, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii from the phylum Firmicutes, and Escherichia coli from the phylum Proteobacteria. The biofilm model was used to identify gut nutrient conditions that resulted in C. difficile-associated dysbiosis characterized by large increases in C. difficile and E. coli abundances and large decreases in F. prausnitzii abundance. We tuned the model to produce species abundances and short-chain fatty acid levels consistent with available data for healthy individuals. The model predicted that experimentally-observed host-microbiota perturbations resulting in decreased carbohydrate/increased amino acid levels and/or increased primary bile acid levels would induce large increases in C. difficile abundance and decreases in F. prausnitzii abundance. By adding the experimentally-observed perturbation of increased host nitrate secretion, the model also was able to predict increased E. coli abundance associated with C. difficile dysbiosis. In addition to rationalizing known connections between nutrient levels and disease progression, the model generated hypotheses for future testing and has the capability to support the development of new treatment strategies for C. difficile gut infections.
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Heidebrecht HJ, Weiss WJ, Pulse M, Lange A, Gisch K, Kliem H, Mann S, Pfaffl MW, Kulozik U, von Eichel-Streiber C. Treatment and Prevention of Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection with Functionalized Bovine Antibody-Enriched Whey in a Hamster Primary Infection Model. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11020098. [PMID: 30736358 PMCID: PMC6409564 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11020098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxin-induced Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a major disease characterized by severe diarrhea and high morbidity rates. The aim with this study was to develop an alternative drug for the treatment of CDI. Cows were repeatedly immunized to establish specific immunoglobulin G and A titers against toxins A (TcdA) and B (TcdB) and against C. difficile cells in mature milk or colostrum. The effect of three different concentrations of anti-C. difficile whey protein isolates (anti-CD-WPI) and the standard of care antibiotic vancomycin were investigated in an animal model of CD infected hamsters (6 groups, with 10 hamsters each). WPI obtained from the milk of exactly the same cows pre-immunization and a vehicle group served as negative controls. The survival of hamsters receiving anti-CD-WPI was 50, 80 and 100% compared to 10 and 0% for the control groups, respectively. Vancomycin suppressed the growth of C. difficile and thus protected the hamsters at the time of administration, but 90% of these hamsters nevertheless died shortly after discontinuation of treatment. In contrast, the surviving hamsters of the anti-CD-WPI groups survived the entire study period, although they were treated for only 75 h. The specific antibodies not only inactivated the toxins for initial suppression of CDI, but also provoked the inhibition of C. difficile growth after discontinuation, thus preventing recurrence. Oral administration of anti-CD-WPI is a functional therapy of CDI in infected hamsters for both primary treatment and prevention of recurrence. Thus, anti-CD-WPI could address the urgent unmet medical need for treating and preventing recurrent CDI in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Jürgen Heidebrecht
- Chair of Food and Bioprocess Engineering, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany.
- ZIEL Institute for Food & Health, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany.
| | - William J Weiss
- University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107-2699, USA.
| | - Mark Pulse
- University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107-2699, USA.
| | | | | | - Heike Kliem
- Chair of Animal Physiology and Immunology, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany.
| | - Sacha Mann
- Biosys UK Limited, London, SW1H, 9BP, UK.
| | - Michael W Pfaffl
- Chair of Animal Physiology and Immunology, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany.
- School of Life Science, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany.
| | - Ulrich Kulozik
- Chair of Food and Bioprocess Engineering, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany.
- ZIEL Institute for Food & Health, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany.
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Chamchod F, Palittapongarnpim P. Modeling Clostridium difficile in a hospital setting: control and admissions of colonized and symptomatic patients. Theor Biol Med Model 2019; 16:2. [PMID: 30704484 PMCID: PMC6357410 DOI: 10.1186/s12976-019-0098-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection is an important cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea. Several factors such as admission of colonized patients, levels of serum antibodies in patients, and control strategies may involve in determining the prevalence and the persistence of C. difficile in a hospital unit. METHODS We develop mathematical models based on deterministic and stochastic frameworks to investigate the effects of control strategies for colonized and symptomatic patients and admissions of colonized and symptomatic patients on the prevalence and the persistence of C. difficile. RESULTS Our findings suggest that control strategies and admissions of colonized and symptomatic patients play important roles in determining the prevalence and the persistence of C. difficile. Improving control of C. difficile in colonized and symptomatic patients may generally help reduce the prevalence and the persistence of C. difficile. However, if admission rates of colonized and symptomatic patients are high, the prevalence of C. difficile may remain high in a patient population even though strict control policies are applied. CONCLUSION Control strategies and admissions of colonized and symptomatic patients are important determinants of the prevalence and the persistence of C. difficile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farida Chamchod
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Gerding DN, Cornely OA, Grill S, Kracker H, Marrast AC, Nord CE, Talbot GH, Buitrago M, Gheorghe Diaconescu I, Murta de Oliveira C, Preotescu L, Pullman J, Louie TJ, Wilcox MH. Cadazolid for the treatment of Clostridium difficile infection: results of two double-blind, placebo-controlled, non-inferiority, randomised phase 3 trials. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2019; 19:265-274. [PMID: 30709665 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(18)30614-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cadazolid is a novel quinoxolidinone antibiotic developed for treating Clostridium difficile infection. We aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of cadazolid compared with vancomycin in patients with C difficile infection. METHODS IMPACT 1 and IMPACT 2 were identically designed, multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, non-inferiority, randomised phase 3 trials. IMPACT 1 was done in Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Romania, Spain, and the USA, and IMPACT 2 was done in Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Romania, Slovakia, South Korea, the UK, and the USA. Patients (aged 18 years or older) with mild-to-moderate or severe C difficile infection (diarrhoea with positive glutamate dehydrogenase and toxin A or B enzyme immunoassays) were randomly assigned (1:1) with a randomisation list stratified by centre and C difficile infection episode type (block size of four), and allocation was masked to investigators and participants. Patients received either oral cadazolid 250 mg twice daily with vancomycin-matching placebo capsule four times daily or oral vancomycin 125 mg four times a day with cadazolid-matching placebo suspension twice daily for 10 days, with 30 days of follow-up. The primary efficacy outcome was non-inferiority (margin -10%) of cadazolid versus vancomycin for clinical cure in the modified intention-to-treat and per-protocol populations. Clinical cure was defined as resolution of diarrhoea with no additional treatment for C difficile infection. These trials are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, numbers NCT01987895 (IMPACT 1) and NCT01983683 (IMPACT 2). FINDINGS Between March 28, 2014, and March 24, 2017, for IMPACT 1, and Dec 13, 2013, and May 2, 2017, for IMPACT 2, 1263 participants were randomly assigned to receive cadazolid (306 in IMPACT 1 and 298 in IMPACT 2) or vancomycin (326 in IMPACT 1 and 311 in IMPACT 2). In the modified intention-to-treat population in IMPACT 1, 253 (84%) of 302 had clinical cure in the cadazolid group versus 271 (85%) of 318 in the vancomycin group. In IMPACT 2, 235 (81%) of 290 versus 258 (86%) of 301 had clinical cure. In the per-protocol population, 247 (88%) of 282 versus 264 (92%) of 288 had clinical cure in IMPACT 1 and 214 (87%) of 247 versus 237 (92%) of 259 in IMPACT 2. Non-inferiority for clinical cure to vancomycin was shown in IMPACT 1 but not in IMPACT 2 (IMPACT 1 treatment difference: -1·4 [95% CI -7·2 to 4·3] for modified intention to treat and -4·1 [-9·2 to 1·0] for per protocol; IMPACT 2: -4·7 [-10·7 to 1·3] for modified intention to treat and -4·9 [-10·4 to 0·6] for per protocol). The safety and tolerability profiles of the two antibiotics were similar. INTERPRETATION Cadazolid was safe and well tolerated but did not achieve its primary endpoint of non-inferiority to vancomycin for clinical cure in one of two phase 3 C difficile infection trials. Therefore, further commercial development of cadazolid for C difficile infection is unlikely. FUNDING Actelion Pharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dale N Gerding
- Edward Hines Jr Veterans Administration Hospital, Hines, IL, USA.
| | - Oliver A Cornely
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases, Clinical Trials Centre Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Simon Grill
- Actelion Pharmaceuticals, Allschwil, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Carl Erik Nord
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | | | | | - Liliana Preotescu
- Matei Bals National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Thomas J Louie
- Foothills Medical Center, Alberta Health Services & University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Mark H Wilcox
- Microbiology, Old Medical School, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, UK
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Hassoun A. Clostridium difficile associated disease. BMJ 2018; 363:k4369. [PMID: 30373736 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.k4369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ali Hassoun
- Alabama Infectious Diseases Center, Huntsville, AL, USA
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Abstract
Clostridium difficile is an anaerobic spore-forming human pathogen that is the leading cause of nosocomial infectious diarrhea worldwide. Germination of infectious spores is the first step in the development of a C. difficile infection (CDI) after ingestion and passage through the stomach. This study investigates the specific conditions that facilitate C. difficile spore germination, including the following: location within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, pH, temperature, and germinant concentration. The germinants that have been identified in culture include combinations of bile salts and amino acids or bile salts and calcium, but in vitro, these function at concentrations that far exceed normal physiological ranges normally found in the mammalian GI tract. In this work, we describe and quantify a previously unreported synergy observed when bile salts, calcium, and amino acids are added together. These germinant cocktails improve germination efficiency by decreasing the required concentrations of germinants to physiologically relevant levels. Combinations of multiple germinant types are also able to overcome the effects of inhibitory bile salts. In addition, we propose that the acidic conditions within the GI tract regulate C. difficile spore germination and could provide a biological explanation for why patients taking proton pump inhibitors are associated with increased risk of developing a CDI. Clostridium difficile is a Gram-positive obligate anaerobe that forms spores in order to survive for long periods in the unfavorable environment outside a host. C. difficile is the leading cause of nosocomial infectious diarrhea worldwide. C. difficile infection (CDI) arises after a patient treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics ingests infectious spores. The first step in C. difficile pathogenesis is the metabolic reactivation of dormant spores within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract through a process known as germination. In this work, we aim to elucidate the specific conditions and the location within the GI tract that facilitate this process. Our data suggest that C. difficile germination occurs through a two-step biochemical process that is regulated by pH and bile salts, amino acids, and calcium present within the GI tract. Maximal germination occurs at a pH ranging from 6.5 to 8.5 in the terminal small intestine prior to bile salt and calcium reabsorption by the host. Germination can be initiated by lower concentrations of germinants when spores are incubated with a combination of bile salts, calcium, and amino acids, and this synergy is dependent on the availability of calcium. The synergy described here allows germination to proceed in the presence of inhibitory bile salts and at physiological concentrations of germinants, effectively decreasing the concentrations of nutrients required to initiate an essential step of pathogenesis. IMPORTANCEClostridium difficile is an anaerobic spore-forming human pathogen that is the leading cause of nosocomial infectious diarrhea worldwide. Germination of infectious spores is the first step in the development of a C. difficile infection (CDI) after ingestion and passage through the stomach. This study investigates the specific conditions that facilitate C. difficile spore germination, including the following: location within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, pH, temperature, and germinant concentration. The germinants that have been identified in culture include combinations of bile salts and amino acids or bile salts and calcium, but in vitro, these function at concentrations that far exceed normal physiological ranges normally found in the mammalian GI tract. In this work, we describe and quantify a previously unreported synergy observed when bile salts, calcium, and amino acids are added together. These germinant cocktails improve germination efficiency by decreasing the required concentrations of germinants to physiologically relevant levels. Combinations of multiple germinant types are also able to overcome the effects of inhibitory bile salts. In addition, we propose that the acidic conditions within the GI tract regulate C. difficile spore germination and could provide a biological explanation for why patients taking proton pump inhibitors are associated with increased risk of developing a CDI.
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Schwemmlein N, Pippel J, Gazdag EM, Blankenfeldt W. Crystal Structures of R-Type Bacteriocin Sheath and Tube Proteins CD1363 and CD1364 From Clostridium difficile in the Pre-assembled State. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1750. [PMID: 30127773 PMCID: PMC6088184 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Diffocins are high-molecular-weight phage tail-like bacteriocins (PTLBs) that some Clostridium difficile strains produce in response to SOS induction. Similar to the related R-type pyocins from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, R-type diffocins act as molecular puncture devices that specifically penetrate the cell envelope of other C. difficile strains to dissipate the membrane potential and kill the attacked bacterium. Thus, R-type diffocins constitute potential therapeutic agents to counter C. difficile-associated infections. PTLBs consist of rigid and contractile protein complexes. They are composed of a baseplate, receptor-binding tail fibers and an inner needle-like tube surrounded by a contractile sheath. In the mature particle, the sheath and tube structure form a complex network comprising up to 200 copies of a sheath and a tube protein each. Here, we report the crystal structures together with small angle X-ray scattering data of the sheath and tube proteins CD1363 (39 kDa) and CD1364 (16 kDa) from C. difficile strain CD630 in a monomeric pre-assembly form at 1.9 and 1.5 Å resolution, respectively. The tube protein CD1364 displays a compact fold and shares highest structural similarity with a tube protein from Bacillus subtilis but is remarkably different from that of the R-type pyocin from P. aeruginosa. The structure of the R-type diffocin sheath protein, on the other hand, is highly conserved. It contains two domains, whereas related members such as bacteriophage tail sheath proteins comprise up to four, indicating that R-type PTLBs may represent the minimal protein required for formation of a complete sheath structure. Comparison of CD1363 and CD1364 with structures of PTLBs and related assemblies suggests that several conformational changes are required to form complete assemblies. In the sheath, rearrangement of the flexible N- and C-terminus enables extensive interactions between the other subunits, whereas for the tube, such contacts are primarily established by mobile α-helices. Together, our results combined with information from structures of homologous assemblies allow constructing a preliminary model of the sheath and tube assembly from R-type diffocin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Schwemmlein
- Structure and Function of Proteins, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Jan Pippel
- Structure and Function of Proteins, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Emerich-Mihai Gazdag
- Structure and Function of Proteins, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Wulf Blankenfeldt
- Structure and Function of Proteins, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
- Institute for Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
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Mallia G, Van Toen J, Rousseau J, Jacob L, Boerlin P, Greer A, Metcalf D, Weese J. Examining the epidemiology and microbiology of Clostridium difficile carriage in elderly patients and residents of a healthcare facility in southern Ontario, Canada. J Hosp Infect 2018; 99:461-468. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2018.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Ofori E, Ramai D, Dhawan M, Mustafa F, Gasperino J, Reddy M. Community-acquired Clostridium difficile: epidemiology, ribotype, risk factors, hospital and intensive care unit outcomes, and current and emerging therapies. J Hosp Infect 2018; 99:436-442. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2018.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Abstract
Germination of Clostridium difficile spores is a crucial early requirement for colonization of the gastrointestinal tract. Likewise, C. difficile cannot cause disease pathologies unless its spores germinate into metabolically active, toxin-producing cells. Recent advances in our understanding of C. difficile spore germination mechanisms indicate that this process is both complex and unique. This review defines unique aspects of the germination pathways of C. difficile and compares them to those of two other well-studied organisms, Bacillus anthracis and Clostridium perfringensC. difficile germination is unique, as C. difficile does not contain any orthologs of the traditional GerA-type germinant receptor complexes and is the only known sporeformer to require bile salts in order to germinate. While recent advances describing C. difficile germination mechanisms have been made on several fronts, major gaps in our understanding of C. difficile germination signaling remain. This review provides an updated, in-depth summary of advances in understanding of C. difficile germination and potential avenues for the development of therapeutics, and discusses the major discrepancies between current models of germination and areas of ongoing investigation.
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Ragusa R, Giorgianni G, Lupo L, Sciacca A, Rametta S, La Verde M, Mulè S, Marranzano M. Healthcare-associated Clostridium difficile infection: role of correct hand hygiene in cross-infection control. JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE AND HYGIENE 2018; 59:E145-E152. [PMID: 30083622 PMCID: PMC6069405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Clostridium difficile (CD) is the most common cause of health-care-associated infectious diarrhea with increasing incidence and severity in recent years. The main cause of hospital's acquired cross infections can be attributed to incorrect hand hygiene. We described the epidemiology of CD infection (CDI) in a teaching hospital in Southern Italy during a two years surveillance period and evaluated the health-care workers compliance to hand hygiene. METHODS CDI Incidence rates were calculated as the number of patients with positive C. difficile toxin assay per 10,000 patient-days. Compliance with hand hygiene was the ratio of the number of performed actions to the number of opportunities observed. Approximately 400 Hand Hygiene (HH) opportunities/year /ward were observed. We finally checked out if any correlation could be found. RESULTS From January 2015 to December 2016 a total number of 854 CD determinations were performed in patients with clinical symptoms of diarrhea. The search for toxins A and B was positive in 175 cases (21,2%), confirming the diagnosis of CDI. Compliance to hand hygiene was significantly inversely associated with the number of CDIs: the lower the compliance of health-care workers with hand hygiene the higher was the number of cases of CDIs (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS According to our results proper handwashing of health-care workers appears to be a key intervention in interrupting CD cross infections regardless of age and type of department in which the patient is admitted.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Ragusa
- Clinical Directorate, University Hospital “G. Rodolico” Catania, Italy
| | - G. Giorgianni
- School of Specialization in Hygiene University of Catania, Italy
| | - L. Lupo
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Sciences, University of Catania, Italy
| | - A. Sciacca
- Microbiological Laboratory A.O.U. Policlinico V. Emanuele, Catania, Italy
| | - S. Rametta
- School of Specialization in Hygiene University of Catania, Italy
| | - M. La Verde
- School of Specialization in Hygiene University of Catania, Italy
| | - S. Mulè
- School of Specialization in Hygiene University of Catania, Italy
| | - M. Marranzano
- School of Specialization in Hygiene University of Catania, Italy
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Sciences, University of Catania, Italy
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