Vaginal and Rectal Clostridium sordellii and Clostridium perfringens Presence Among Women in the United States.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To characterize the presence of Clostridium sordellii and Clostridium perfringens in the vagina and rectum, identify correlates of presence, and describe strain diversity and presence of key toxins.

Methods

We conducted an observational cohort study in which we screened a diverse cohort of reproductive-aged women in the United States up to three times using vaginal and rectal swabs analyzed by molecular and culture methods. We used multivariate regression models to explore predictors of presence. Strains were characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and tested for known virulence factors by polymerase chain reaction assays.

Results

Of 4,152 participants enrolled between 2010 and 2013, 3.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.9-4.0) were positive for C s

SUBMITTER: Chong E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5793214 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature