Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Ibrahim A. Al-Zahrani
Summary: Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infection is a global threat to many healthcare settings. Excessive use of antimicrobials, lack of optimal antibiotic policies, and suboptimal infection control practices have fueled the development of this health issue. Prudent use of antimicrobials and simple infection control measures can significantly reduce infection rates.
SAUDI MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Vanessa Lang, Katrin Gunka, Jan Rudolf Ortlepp, Ortrud Zimmermann, Uwe Gross
Summary: Nosocomial infections with Clostridioides difficile have emerged as a serious health threat. This study aimed to identify risk factors for C. difficile infection beyond the well-known factors. It found that regular consumption of proton pump inhibitors, low vegetable intake, and the use of the diuretic agent torasemid were additional risk factors for CDI.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Jeffrey Scott Weese, Nathan Slovis, Joyce Rousseau
Summary: This study longitudinally evaluated Clostridium difficile shedding in neonatal foals and mares in a referral hospital neonatal intensive care unit. The results showed Clostridium difficile was isolated from 25% of samples, with at least one positive sample in 40% of foals and 31% of mares. Various ribotypes were identified, with ribotype 078 predominating.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Jen-Chieh Lee, Yuan -Pin Hung, Bo -Yang Tsai, Pei -Jane Tsai, Wen -Chien Ko
Summary: Severe CDIs in the ICU were not rare in this study. The ileus group tended to have more severe presentation, with severe and fulminant CDIs accounting for 65.2% and an ICU mortality rate of 39.1%. Clinicians should be aware of abdominal symptoms and signs other than diarrhea, such as ileus, for timely diagnosis and management of CDI.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alexander B. Smith, Matthew L. Jenior, Orlaith Keenan, Jessica L. Hart, Jonathan Specker, Arwa Abbas, Paula C. Rangel, Chao Di, Jamal Green, Katelyn A. Bustin, Jennifer A. Gaddy, Maribeth R. Nicholson, Clare Laut, Brendan J. Kelly, Megan L. Matthews, Daniel R. Evans, Daria Van Tyne, Emma E. Furth, Jason A. Papin, Frederic D. Bushman, Jessi Erlichman, Robert N. Baldassano, Michael A. Silverman, Gary M. Dunny, Boone M. Prentice, Eric P. Skaar, Joseph P. Zackular
Summary: Enterococci can shape the metabolic environment in the gut and enhance the fitness and pathogenesis of Clostridioides difficile through nutrient restriction and cross-feeding. This microbial interaction plays a role in the susceptibility to and the severity of C. difficile infection.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Enrico Bentivegna, Giuliano Alessio, Valerio Spuntarelli, Michelangelo Luciani, Iolanda Santino, Maurizio Simmaco, Paolo Martelletti
Summary: The study found a significant decrease in healthcare-associated C. difficile infection incidence during the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting that measures to prevent microorganism transmission can effectively reduce such infections and related costs.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INFECTION CONTROL
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiaojiao Xie, Mingfei Yao, Yanmeng Lu, Mengjia Yu, Shengyi Han, David J. McClements, Hang Xiao, Lanjuan Li
Summary: The study demonstrated that encapsulating Li05 within gastro-responsive microgels can enhance its efficacy in preventing and treating CDI by improving viability, release, and gut microbial diversity.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jianfeng Wang, Chu Yang, Chao Zhang, Xiaoyan Mao, An Lizhe
Summary: In this study, the genome of Clostridium difficile was studied using metagenomic technology, revealing its gene sequence information and potential toxicological genes. Through gene function analysis and pathogenicity analysis, the metabolism activity, catalytic activity, carbohydrate-active enzyme genes and other aspects of the bacterium were understood, and an assessment was made on its virulence genes.
Review
Microbiology
Marta Mattana, Riccardo Tomasello, Claudia Cammarata, Paola Di Carlo, Teresa Fasciana, Giulio Giordano, Alessandro Lucchesi, Sergio Siragusa, Mariasanta Napolitano
Summary: This review analyzed the correlation between coagulation complications related to C. difficile infection and inflammasome activation, particularly the pyrin-dependent one. The evidence suggests that inflammasome activation increases the risk of venous thromboembolism, and inhibition of molecules involved in coagulation activation could block this process. It may be possible to reduce complications and mortality associated with C. difficile infection by reducing inflammatory activity and preventing thromboembolic complications.
Article
Immunology
Jody Lawrence, Nicholas Kitchin, Annaliesa S. Anderson, Michael W. Pride, Kathrin U. Jansen, William C. Gruber, Yahong Peng, Kevin Yi, Charles Knirsch, Chris Webber
Summary: Two phase 1/phase 2 studies assessed the investigational bivalent Clostridioides difficile vaccine in healthy adults 50-85 years of age, with both formulations demonstrating robust immunogenicity. However, both studies were stopped early due to grade 3 injection site redness postdose 2 of the day regimen. Instead, an aluminum hydroxide-containing formulation of the vaccine candidate that was safe and immunogenic in phase 1 and 2 studies advanced to phase 3 studies.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Robert J. Brown, Michelle Raabe, Louise D. McCullough, Liang Zhu, Reena Chokshi
Summary: This study found a low incidence of CDI in stroke patients, with the highest rate in SAH patients. Male sex and steroid use were associated with a positive CDI result, and leukocytosis and fever occurred in less than half of infected patients. CDI did not impact outcome measures.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Srijita Basak, Debashrito Deb, Utkarsh Narsaria, Tamalika Kar, Filippo Castiglione, Indraneel Sanyal, Pratap D. Bade, Anurag P. Srivastava
Summary: Clostridium difficile infection is a major health-associated infection with high incidence and mortality rates. A chimeric vaccine candidate was designed using immunoinformatics, which showed stability and reliability in silico and molecular dynamics simulations. Docking studies demonstrated stable interactions with immune receptors, and in silico modeling indicated competent expression in E. coli system for potential immune response.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Lia Freier, Nicole Zacharias, Stefanie Gemein, Juergen Gebel, Steffen Engelhart, Martin Exner, Nico T. Mutters
Summary: Wastewater pipes serve as microbial ecosystems, which can pose a potential infection risk. This study investigates the impact of C. difficile-infected patients on environmental contamination and identifies potential reservoirs. The findings highlight the importance of addressing the risk of transmission and infection from these reservoirs to ensure patient safety.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Bogdan Mihnea Ciuntu, Gheorghe G. Balan, Mihaela Buna-Arvinte, Irina Mihaela Abdulan, Adelina Papancea, Stefan Lucian Toma, Bogdan Veliceasa, Oana Viola Badulescu, Gabriela Ghiga, Ana Maria Fatu, Mihai Bogdan Vascu, Antonia Moldovanu, Dan Vintila, Alin Mihai Vasilescu
Summary: A study from Saint Spiridon Emergency Hospital in Romania found that Colitis with Clostridium difficile can range from mild to severe, and surgical interventions are typically only necessary in severe cases. However, there is limited evidence on the best surgical approach.
MEDICINA-LITHUANIA
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Peng An Khun, Long Duc Phi, Huong Thi Thu Bui, Nguyen Thi Bui, Quyen Thi Huyen Vu, Luong Duy Trinh, Deirdre A. Collins, Thomas Riley
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence, molecular type, and antimicrobial susceptibility of Clostridioides difficile in the environment in Vietnam. It found that the overall contamination rate of C. difficile was 24.5%, with the highest prevalence in pig farm and hospital soils. C. difficile was also found in pig feces and potato surfaces. These findings highlight the importance of environmental sources in the epidemiology of C. difficile infection in Vietnam.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Pathology
Korakrit Imwattana, Daniel R. Knight, Thomas Riley
EXPERT REVIEW OF MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Papanin Putsathit, Stacey Hong, Narelle George, Christine Hemphill, Peter G. Huntington, Tony M. Korman, Despina Kotsanas, Monica Lahra, Rodney McDougall, Andrew McGlinchey, Casey Moore, Graeme R. Nimmo, Louise Prendergast, Jennifer Robson, Lynette Waring, Michael C. Wehrhahn, Gerhard F. Weldhagen, Richard M. Wilson, Thomas Riley, Daniel R. Knight
Summary: The study found that the majority of C. difficile isolated in Australia showed susceptibility to the recommended antimicrobials for treating CDI, with low resistance to carbapenems and fluoroquinolones, and rare multidrug resistance. However, resistance to clindamycin was common, with one fluoroquinolone-resistant ribotype 027 strain detected.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Keeley O'Grady, Daniel R. Knight, Thomas Riley
Summary: This review discusses the genetics of AMR in Clostridioides difficile as well as the factors affecting the clear determination of AMR burden in this bacterium and its impact on CDI treatment.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Biology
Daniel R. Knight, Korakrit Imwattana, Brian Kullin, Enzo Guerrero-Araya, Daniel Paredes-Sabja, Xavier Didelot, Kate E. Dingle, David W. Eyre, Cesar Rodriguez, Thomas Riley
Summary: Research on over 12,000 C. difficile genomes revealed major taxonomic incoherence and clear species boundaries for the recently described cryptic clades CI-III. This discovery has significant implications for the global population structure of C. difficile and the Peptostreptococcaceae taxonomy as a whole. Additionally, the unique toxin gene architecture of these newly identified genomospecies may impact the diagnosis of CDI.
Review
Microbiology
Natasza M. R. Hain-Saunders, Daniel R. Knight, Mieghan Bruce, Thomas V. Riley
Summary: Clostridioides difficile poses a significant health risk to both humans and animals, especially in equine populations. Current understanding of equine C. difficile infection is inadequate, highlighting the need for a holistic One Health approach to address this complex issue.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Nirajmohan Shivaperumal, Daniel R. Knight, Korakrit Imwattana, Grace O. Androga, Barbara J. Chang, Thomas Riley
Summary: This study reports the isolation of C.difficile strains from environmental samples in Western Australia that fail to produce black colonies and lack a putative beta-glucosidase gene. These strains also only produce toxin A. Four strains belong to a novel ribotype (QX 597) and show susceptibility to all tested antimicrobials.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Su-Chen Lim, Deirdre A. Collins, Korakrit Imwattana, Daniel R. Knight, Sicilia Perumalsamy, Natasza M. R. Hain-Saunders, Papanin Putsathit, David Speers, Thomas Riley
Summary: The study found that Clostridium difficile infection is mainly imported from the community into hospitals rather than spreading within the healthcare system. These findings suggest that developing community-based infection prevention and control strategies could significantly lower rates of CDI in the hospital setting.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Noel P. Pitcher, Jitendra R. Harjani, Yichao Zhao, Jianwen Jin, Daniel R. Knight, Lucy Li, Papanin Putsathit, Thomas Riley, Glen P. Carter, Jonathan B. Baell
Summary: Colonization of pathogenic bacteria in the GI tract is a significant risk factor for healthcare-associated infections. Efforts to develop effective decolonization agents have been largely unsuccessful. This study modified antimicrobial compounds to target bacterial pathogens in the GI tract and identified potential candidates for further development of colon-targeted antimicrobial agents.
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Maja Rupnik, Daniel Knight
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Korakrit Imwattana, Papanin Putsathit, Deirdre A. Collins, Teera Leepattarakit, Pattarachai Kiratisin, Thomas Riley, Daniel R. Knight
Summary: Clostridioides difficile PCR ribotype (RT) 017 is one of the most successful strains of C. difficile globally, and its global dissemination time and key factors have been determined through high-resolution genomic and Bayesian evolutionary analyses. Furthermore, the study found that C. difficile RT 017 may have been spreading between Asia and Europe since the Middle Ages and was introduced to North America in the 19th century.
MICROBIAL GENOMICS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Korakrit Imwattana, Niraj Shivaperumal, Teera Leepattarakit, Pattarachai Kiratisin, Daniel R. Knight, Thomas V. Riley
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Nirajmohan Shivaperumal, Natasza M. R. Hain-Saunders, Barbara J. J. Chang, Thomas V. V. Riley, Daniel R. R. Knight
Summary: We report the isolation of two esculin hydrolysis-negative strains of C. difficile from soils in Western Australia, which produce white colonies on chromogenic media and belong to evolutionarily divergent clade C-III. This suggests that environmental C. difficile may contribute to C. difficile infection in community settings.
MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Karla Cautivo-Reyes, Daniel R. Knight, Deborah Bowie, Benjamin Moreira-Grez, Andrew S. Whiteley, Thomas V. Riley
Summary: The high prevalence and diversity of Clostridium difficile in Australian soils suggest that soils play a role in the survival and dissemination of this organism, potentially contributing to its transmission among native wildlife, production animals, and in community and hospital settings.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Natasza M. R. Hain-Saunders, Daniel R. Knight, Mieghan Bruce, David Byrne, Thomas V. Riley
Summary: Clostridioides difficile continues to be a problem in causing gastrointestinal disease in humans and animals. This study investigates the epidemiology of CDI in Australian horses and highlights the need for a One Health approach to surveillance.
