The flagellin FliC of Clostridium difficile is responsible for pleiotropic gene regulation during in vivo infection.

ABSTRACT: Clostridium difficile is the main agent responsible for hospital acquired antibiotic associated diarrhoea. In recent years, epidemic strains have emerged causing more severe infections. Whilst C. difficile has two major virulence factors, toxins TcdA and TcdB, it is generally accepted that other virulence components of the bacterium contribute to disease. Previously, it has been suggested that flagella expression from pathogenic bacteria might be implicated in virulence. In a recent study, we observed an increased mortality in a gnotobiotic mouse model when animals were colonized with an isogenic fliC mutant constructed in the PCR-ribotype 027 (B1/NAP1) strain R20291, while animals survived when colonized by the parental strain or after colonization by other high-toxin-producing C. diffici

SUBMITTER: Barketi-Klai A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4026244 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature