Clostridium difficile trehalose metabolism variants are common and not associated with adverse patient outcomes when variably present in the same lineage.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Clostridium difficile ribotype-027, ribotype-078, and ribotype-017 are virulent and epidemic lineages. Trehalose metabolism variants in these ribotypes, combined with increased human trehalose consumption, have been hypothesised to have contributed to their emergence and virulence.

Methods

5232 previously whole-genome sequenced C. difficile isolates were analysed. Clinical isolates were used to investigate the impact of trehalose metabolism variants on mortality. Import data were used to estimate changes in dietary trehalose. Ribotype-027 virulence was investigated in a clinically reflective gut model.

Findings

Trehalose metabolism variants found in ribotype-027 and ribotype-017 were widely distributed throughout C. difficile clade-2 and clade-4 in 24/29 (8

SUBMITTER: Eyre DW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6558026 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature