Fusobacteriumnucleatum Adheres to Clostridioides difficile via the RadD Adhesin to Enhance Biofilm Formation in Intestinal Mucus.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

Although Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is known to involve the disruption of the gut microbiota, little is understood regarding how mucus-associated microbes interact with C difficile. We hypothesized that select mucus-associated bacteria would promote C difficile colonization and biofilm formation.

Methods

To create a model of the human intestinal mucus layer and gut microbiota, we used bioreactors inoculated with healthy human feces, treated with clindamycin and infected with C difficile with the addition of human MUC2-coated coverslips.

Results

C difficile was found to colonize and form biofilms on MUC2-coated coverslips, and 16S rRNA sequencing showed a unique biofilm profile with substantial cocolonization with Fusobacterium species.

SUBMITTER: Engevik MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7956072 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature