Comparative phylogenomics of Clostridium difficile reveals clade specificity and microevolution of hypervirulent strains.

ABSTRACT: Clostridium difficile is the most frequent cause of nosocomial diarrhea worldwide, and recent reports suggested the emergence of a hypervirulent strain in North America and Europe. In this study, we applied comparative phylogenomics (whole-genome comparisons using DNA microarrays combined with Bayesian phylogenies) to model the phylogeny of C. difficile, including 75 diverse isolates comprising hypervirulent, toxin-variable, and animal strains. The analysis identified four distinct statistically supported clusters comprising a hypervirulent clade, a toxin A(-) B(+) clade, and two clades with human and animal isolates. Genetic differences among clades revealed several genetic islands relating to virulence and niche adaptation, including antibiotic resistance, motility, adhesion, and enteric

SUBMITTER: Stabler RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1636221 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature