Production of <i>p</i>-cresol by Decarboxylation of <i>p</i>-HPA by All Five Lineages of <i>Clostridioides difficile</i> Provides a Growth Advantage.

ABSTRACT: Clostridioides difficile is the leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and is capable of causing severe symptoms, such as pseudomembranous colitis and toxic megacolon. An unusual feature of C. difficile is the distinctive production of high levels of the antimicrobial compound para-cresol. p-Cresol production provides C. difficile with a competitive colonization advantage over gut commensal species, in particular, Gram-negative species. p-Cresol is produced by the conversion of para-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (p-HPA) via the actions of HpdBCA decarboxylase coded by the hpdBCA operon. Host cells and certain bacterial species produce p-HPA; however, the effects of p-HPA on the viability of C. diffic

SUBMITTER: Harrison MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8588808 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature