Biofilms harbour Clostridioides difficile, serving as a reservoir for recurrent infection

C. difficile infection (CDI) is a worldwide healthcare problem with similar to 30% of cases failing primary therapy, placing a burden on healthcare systems and increasing patient morbidity. We have little understanding of why these therapies fail. Here, we use a clinically validated in vitro gut model to assess the contribution of biofilms towards recurrent disease and to investigate biofilm microbiota-C. difficile interactions. Initial experiments show that C. difficile cells became associated with the colonic biofilm microbiota and are not depleted by vancomycin or faecal microbiota transplant therapies. We observe that transferring biofilm encased C. difficile cells into a C. difficile naive but CDI susceptible model induces CDI. Members of the biofilm community can impact C. difficile biofilm formation by acting either antagonistically or synergistically. We highlight the importance of biofilms as a reservoir for C. difficile, which can be a cause for recurrent infections.

Automated summary

C. difficile infection is a global healthcare problem with a high failure rate in primary therapy, and biofilms may be a cause for recurrent infections. Biofilm members can impact C. difficile biofilm formation by acting antagonistically or synergistically.