Multiple factors modulate biofilm formation by the anaerobic pathogen Clostridium difficile.

ABSTRACT: Bacteria within biofilms are protected from multiple stresses, including immune responses and antimicrobial agents. The biofilm-forming ability of bacterial pathogens has been associated with increased antibiotic resistance and chronic recurrent infections. Although biofilms have been well studied for several gut pathogens, little is known about biofilm formation by anaerobic gut species. The obligate anaerobe Clostridium difficile causes C. difficile infection (CDI), a major health care-associated problem primarily due to the high incidence of recurring infections. C. difficile colonizes the gut when the normal intestinal microflora is disrupted by antimicrobial agents; however, the factors or processes involved in gut colonization during infection remain unclear. We demonstrate that clin

SUBMITTER: Ðapa T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3554014 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature