Enterococci enhance Clostridioides difficile pathogenesis.

ABSTRACT: Enteric pathogens are exposed to a dynamic polymicrobial environment in the gastrointestinal tract¹. This microbial community has been shown to be important during infection, but there are few examples illustrating how microbial interactions can influence the virulence of invading pathogens². Here we show that expansion of a group of antibiotic-resistant, opportunistic pathogens in the gut-the enterococci-enhances the fitness and pathogenesis of Clostridioides difficile. Through a parallel process of nutrient restriction and cross-feeding, enterococci shape the metabolic environment in the gut and reprogramme C. difficile metabolism. Enterococci provide fermentable amino acids, including leucine and ornithine, which increase C. difficile fitness in the antibiotic-pert

SUBMITTER: Smith AB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9691601 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature