Clostridium difficile PCR Ribotype 018, a Successful Epidemic Genotype.

ABSTRACT: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) became a public health problem for the global spreading of the so-called hypervirulent PCR ribotypes (RTs) 027 and 078, associated with increases in the transmission and severity of the disease. However, especially in Europe, several RTs are prevalent, and the concept of hypervirulence is currently debated. We investigated the toxin and resistance profiles and the genetic relatedness of 312 C. difficile strains isolated in a large Italian teaching hospital during a 5-year period. We evaluated the role of CDI-related antibiotic consumption and infection control practices on the RT predominance in association with their molecular features and transmission capacity. Excluding secondary cases due to nosocomial transmission, RT018 was the predominant genoty

SUBMITTER: Baldan R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4508423 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature