Biofilm Structures in a Mono-Associated Mouse Model of Clostridium difficile Infection.

ABSTRACT: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a major healthcare-associated disease with high recurrence rates. Host colonization is critical for the infectious process, both in first episodes and in recurrent disease, with biofilm formation playing a key role. The ability of C. difficile to form a biofilm on abiotic surfaces is established, but has not yet been confirmed in the intestinal tract. Here, four different isolates of C. difficile, which are in vitro biofilm producers, were studied for their ability to colonize germ-free mice. The level of colonization achieved was similar for all isolates in the different parts of the murine gastrointestinal tract, but pathogen burden was higher in the cecum and colon. Confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed that C. difficile bacteria were distr

SUBMITTER: Soavelomandroso AP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5661025 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature