In vivo animal models confirm an increased virulence potential and pathogenicity of the NAP1/RT027/ST01 genotype within the Clostridium difficile MLST Clade 2.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Based on MLST analyses the global population of C. difficile is distributed in eight clades, of which Clade 2 includes the "hypervirulent" NAP1/RT027/ST01 strain along with various unexplored sequence types (STs).

Methods

To clarify whether this clinically relevant phenotype is a widespread feature of C. difficile Clade 2, we used the murine ileal loop model to compare the in vivo pro-inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) and oxidative stress activities (MPO) of five Clade 2 clinical C. difficile isolates from sequence types (STs) 01, 41, 67, and 252. Besides, we infected Golden Syrian hamsters with spores from these strains to determine their lethality, and obtain a histological evaluation of tissue damage, WBC counts, and serum injury biomarkers

SUBMITTER: Orozco-Aguilar J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7510272 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature