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Couturier J, Davies K, Barbut F. Ribotypes and New Virulent Strains Across Europe. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1435:151-168. [PMID: 38175475 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-42108-2_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Clostridioides (formerly Clostridium) difficile is a major bacterial cause of post-antibiotic diarrhoea. The epidemiology of C. difficile infections (CDIs) has dramatically changed since the early 2000s, with an increasing incidence and severity across Europe. This trend is partly due to the emergence and rapid worldwide spread of the hypervirulent and epidemic PCR ribotype 027. Profiles of patients with CDI have also evolved, with description of community-acquired (CA) infections in patients with no traditional risk factors for CDI. However, epidemiological studies indicated that some European countries have successfully controlled the dissemination of the 027 clone whereas other countries reported the emergence of other virulent or unusual strains. The aims of this review are to summarize the current European CDI epidemiology and to describe the new virulent C. difficile strains circulating in Europe, as well as other potential emerging strains described elsewhere. Standardized typing methods and surveillance programmes are mandatory for a better understanding and monitoring of CDI in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne Couturier
- National Reference Laboratory for C. difficile, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris, France.
- Université Paris Cité, UMR INSERM 1139, Paris, France.
| | - Kerrie Davies
- Healthcare Associated Infections Research Group, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) study group for Clostridioides difficile (ESGCD), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Frédéric Barbut
- National Reference Laboratory for C. difficile, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris, France
- Université Paris Cité, UMR INSERM 1139, Paris, France
- European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) study group for Clostridioides difficile (ESGCD), Basel, Switzerland
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2
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Spigaglia P, Mastrantonio P, Barbanti F. Antibiotic Resistances of Clostridioides difficile. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1435:169-198. [PMID: 38175476 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-42108-2_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
The rapid evolution of antibiotic resistance in Clostridioides difficile and the consequent effects on prevention and treatment of C. difficile infections (CDIs) are a matter of concern for public health. Antibiotic resistance plays an important role in driving C. difficile epidemiology. Emergence of new types is often associated with the emergence of new resistances, and most of the epidemic C. difficile clinical isolates is currently resistant to multiple antibiotics. In particular, it is to worth to note the recent identification of strains with reduced susceptibility to the first-line antibiotics for CDI treatment and/or for relapsing infections. Antibiotic resistance in C. difficile has a multifactorial nature. Acquisition of genetic elements and alterations of the antibiotic target sites, as well as other factors, such as variations in the metabolic pathways or biofilm production, contribute to the survival of this pathogen in the presence of antibiotics. Different transfer mechanisms facilitate the spread of mobile elements among C. difficile strains and between C. difficile and other species. Furthermore, data indicate that both genetic elements and alterations in the antibiotic targets can be maintained in C. difficile regardless of the burden imposed on fitness, and therefore resistances may persist in C. difficile population in absence of antibiotic selective pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Spigaglia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| | - Paola Mastrantonio
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Barbanti
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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Marcos P, Whyte P, Burgess C, Ekhlas D, Bolton D. Detection and Genomic Characterisation of Clostridioides difficile from Spinach Fields. Pathogens 2022; 11:1310. [PMID: 36365061 PMCID: PMC9695345 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite an increased incidence of Clostridioides difficile infections, data on the reservoirs and dissemination routes of this bacterium are limited. This study examined the prevalence and characteristics of C. difficile isolates in spinach fields. C. difficile was detected in 2/60 (3.3%) of spinach and 6/60 (10%) of soil samples using culture-based techniques. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis identified the spinach isolates as belonging to the hypervirulent clade 5, sequence type (ST) 11, ribotypes (RT) 078 and 126 and carried the genes encoding toxins A, B and CDT. The soil isolates belonged to clade 1 with different toxigenic ST/RT (ST19/RT614, ST12/RT003, ST46/RT087, ST16/RT050, ST49/RT014/0) strains and one non-toxigenic ST79/RT511 strain. Antimicrobial resistance to erythromycin (one spinach isolate), rifampicin (two soil isolates), clindamycin (one soil isolate), both moxifloxacin and rifampicin (one soil isolate), and multi-drug resistance to erythromycin, vancomycin and rifampicin (two soil isolates) were observed using the E test, although a broader range of resistance genes were detected using WGS. Although the sample size was limited, our results demonstrate the presence of C. difficile in horticulture and provide further evidence that there are multiple sources and dissemination routes for these bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Marcos
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, 15 Dublin, D15 DY05 Dublin, Ireland
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, 4 Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Paul Whyte
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, 4 Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Catherine Burgess
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, 15 Dublin, D15 DY05 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Daniel Ekhlas
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, 15 Dublin, D15 DY05 Dublin, Ireland
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, 4 Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Declan Bolton
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, 15 Dublin, D15 DY05 Dublin, Ireland
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Kodori M, Ghalavand Z, Yadegar A, Eslami G, Azimirad M, Krutova M, Abadi A, Zali MR. Molecular characterization of pathogenicity locus (PaLoc) and tcdC genetic diversity among tcdA +B +Clostridioides difficile clinical isolates in Tehran, Iran. Anaerobe 2020; 66:102294. [PMID: 33181348 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2020.102294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile is the main cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea worldwide. It is proposed that certain C. difficile toxinotypes with distinct pathogenicity locus (PaLoc) variants are associated with disease severity and outcomes. Additionally, few studies have described the common C. difficile toxinotypes, and also little is known about the tcdC variants in Iranian isolates. We characterized the toxinotypes and the tcdC genotypes from a collection of Iranian clinical C. difficile tcdA+B+ isolates with known ribotypes (RTs). Fifty C. difficile isolates with known RTs and carrying the tcdA and tcdB toxin genes were analyzed. Toxinotyping was carried out based on a PCR-RFLP analysis of a 19.6 kb region encompassing the PaLoc. Genetic diversity of the tcdC gene was determined by the sequencing of the gene. Of the 50 C. difficile isolates investigated, five distinct toxinotypes were recognized. Toxinotypes 0 (33/50, 66%) and V (11/50, 22%) were the most frequently found. C. difficile isolates of the toxinotype 0 mostly belonged to RT 001 (12/33, 36.4%), whereas toxinotype V consisted of RT 126 (9/11, 81.8%). The tcdC sequencing showed six variants (35/50, 70%); tcdC-sc3 (24%), tcdC-A (22%), tcdC-sc9 (18%), tcdC-B (2%), tcdC-sc14 (2%), and tcdC-sc15 (2%). The remaining isolates were wild-types (15/50, 30%) in the tcdC gene. The present study demonstrates that the majority of clinical tcdA+B+ isolates of C. difficile frequently harbor tcdC genetic variants. We also found that the RT 001/toxinotype 0 and the RT 126/toxinotype V are the most common types among Iranian isolates. Further studies are needed to investigate the putative association of various tcdC genotypes with CDI severity and its recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansoor Kodori
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zohreh Ghalavand
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Yadegar
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Gita Eslami
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Masoumeh Azimirad
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marcela Krutova
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Charles University, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic; European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) Study Group for Clostridioides Difficile (ESGCD), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alireza Abadi
- Department of Health & Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Zali
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Sholeh M, Krutova M, Forouzesh M, Mironov S, Sadeghifard N, Molaeipour L, Maleki A, Kouhsari E. Antimicrobial resistance in Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile derived from humans: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control 2020; 9:158. [PMID: 32977835 PMCID: PMC7517813 DOI: 10.1186/s13756-020-00815-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile is an important pathogen of healthcare- associated diarrhea, however, an increase in the occurrence of C. difficile infection (CDI) outside hospital settings has been reported. The accumulation of antimicrobial resistance in C. difficile can increase the risk of CDI development and/or its spread. The limited number of antimicrobials for the treatment of CDI is matter of some concern. Objectives In order to summarize the data on antimicrobial resistance to C. difficile derived from humans, a systematic review and meta-analysis were performed. Methods We searched five bibliographic databases: (MEDLINE [PubMed], Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science) for studies that focused on antimicrobial susceptibility testing in C. difficile and were published between 1992 and 2019. The weighted pooled resistance (WPR) for each antimicrobial agent was calculated using a random- effects model. Results A total of 111 studies were included. The WPR for metronidazole and vancomycin was 1.0% (95% CI 0–3%) and 1% (95% CI 0–2%) for the breakpoint > 2 mg/L and 0% (95% CI 0%) for breakpoint ≥32 μg/ml. Rifampin and tigecycline had a WPRs of 37.0% (95% CI 18–58%) and 1% (95% CI 0–3%), respectively. The WPRs for the other antimicrobials were as follows: ciprofloxacin 95% (95% CI 85–100%), moxifloxacin 32% (95% CI 25–40%), clindamycin 59% (95% CI 53–65%), amoxicillin/clavulanate 0% (0–0%), piperacillin/tazobactam 0% (0–0%) and ceftriaxone 47% (95% CI 29–65%). Tetracycline had a WPR 20% (95% CI 14–27%) and meropenem showed 0% (95% CI 0–1%); resistance to fidaxomicin was reported in one isolate (0.08%). Conclusion Resistance to metronidazole, vancomycin, fidaxomicin, meropenem and piperacillin/tazobactam is reported rarely. From the alternative CDI drug treatments, tigecycline had a lower resistance rate than rifampin. The high-risk antimicrobials for CDI development showed a high level of resistance, the highest was seen in the second generation of fluoroquinolones and clindamycin; amoxicillin/clavulanate showed almost no resistance. Tetracycline resistance was present in one fifth of human clinical C. difficile isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Sholeh
- Dept. of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marcela Krutova
- Dept. of Medical Microbiology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Mehdi Forouzesh
- Assistant professor of Legal medicine Research Center, Legal Medicine organization, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sergey Mironov
- Department of propaedeutics of dental diseases, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Nourkhoda Sadeghifard
- Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Leila Molaeipour
- Dept. of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Maleki
- Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Ebrahim Kouhsari
- Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran. .,Laboratory Sciences Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran. .,Student Research Committee, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
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Genovese C, La Fauci V, D'Amato S, Squeri A, Anzalone C, Costa GB, Fedele F, Squeri R. Molecular epidemiology of antimicrobial resistant microorganisms in the 21th century: a review of the literature. ACTA BIO-MEDICA : ATENEI PARMENSIS 2020; 91:256-273. [PMID: 32420962 PMCID: PMC7569612 DOI: 10.23750/abm.v91i2.9176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are the most frequent and severe complication acquired in healthcare settings with high impact in terms of morbidity, mortality and costs. Many bacteria could be implicated in these infections, but, expecially multidrug resistance bacteria could play an important role. Many microbial typing technologies have been developed until to the the bacterial whole-genome sequencing and the choice of a molecular typing method therefore will depend on the skill level and resources of the laboratory and the aim and scale of the investigation. In several studies the molecular investigation of pathogens involved in HAIs was performed with many microorganisms identified as causative agents such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Clostridium difficile, Acinetobacter spp., Enterobacter spp., Enterococcus spp., Staphylococcus aureus and several more minor species. Here, we will describe the most and least frequently reported clonal complex, sequence types and ribotypes with their worldwide geographic distribution for the most important species involved in HAIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Genovese
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
| | - Vincenza La Fauci
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
| | - Smeralda D'Amato
- Postgraduate Medical School in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Messina, Italy.
| | - Andrea Squeri
- Department of Human Pathology of the adult and developmental age Gaetano Barresi, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
| | - Carmelina Anzalone
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
| | - Gaetano Bruno Costa
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
| | - Francesco Fedele
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
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Isidro J, Santos A, Nunes A, Borges V, Silva C, Vieira L, Mendes AL, Serrano M, Henriques AO, Gomes JP, Oleastro M. Imipenem Resistance in Clostridium difficile Ribotype 017, Portugal. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 24:741-745. [PMID: 29553322 PMCID: PMC5875251 DOI: 10.3201/eid2404.170095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe imipenem-resistant and imipenem-susceptible clinical isolates of Clostridium difficile ribotype 017 in Portugal. All ribotype 017 isolates carried an extra penicillin-binding protein gene, pbp5, and the imipenem-resistant isolates had additional substitutions near the transpeptidase active sites of pbp1 and pbp3. These clones could disseminate and contribute to imipenem resistance.
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Isidro J, Menezes J, Serrano M, Borges V, Paixão P, Mimoso M, Martins F, Toscano C, Santos A, Henriques AO, Oleastro M. Genomic Study of a Clostridium difficile Multidrug Resistant Outbreak-Related Clone Reveals Novel Determinants of Resistance. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2994. [PMID: 30574133 PMCID: PMC6291485 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background:Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is prevalent in healthcare settings. The emergence of hypervirulent and antibiotic resistant strains has led to an increase in CDI incidence and frequent outbreaks. While the main virulence factors are the TcdA and TcdB toxins, antibiotic resistance is thought to play a key role in the infection by and dissemination of C. difficile. Methods: A CDI outbreak involving 12 patients was detected in a tertiary care hospital, in Lisbon, which extended from January to July, with a peak in February, in 2016. The C. difficile isolates, obtained from anaerobic culture of stool samples, were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing with Etest®strips against 11 antibiotics, determination of toxin genes profile, PCR-ribotyping, multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA) and whole genome sequencing (WGS). Results: Of the 12 CDI cases detected, 11 isolates from 11 patients were characterized. All isolates were tcdA-/tcdB+ and belonged to ribotype 017, and showed high level resistance to clindamycin, erythromycin, gentamicin, imipenem, moxifloxacin, rifampicin and tetracycline. The isolates belonged to four genetically related MLVA types, with six isolates forming a clonal cluster. Three outbreak isolates, each from a different MLVA type, were selected for WGS. Bioinformatics analysis showed the presence of several antibiotic resistance determinants, including the Thr82Ile substitution in gyrA, conferring moxifloxacin resistance, the substitutions His502Asn and Arg505Lys in rpoB for rifampicin resistance, the tetM gene, associated with tetracycline resistance, and two genes encoding putative aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes, aadE and aac(6′)-aph(2″). Furthermore, a not previously described 61.3 kb putative mobile element was identified, presenting a mosaic structure and containing the genes ermG, mefA/msrD and vat, associated with macrolide, lincosamide and streptogramins resistance. A substitution found in a class B penicillin-binding protein, Cys721Ser, is thought to contribute to imipenem resistance. Conclusion: We describe an epidemic, tcdA-/tcdB+, multidrug resistant clone of C. difficile from ribotype 017 associated with a hospital outbreak, providing further evidence that the lack of TcdA does not impair the infectious potential of these strains. We identified several determinants of antimicrobial resistance, including new ones located in mobile elements, highlighting the importance of horizontal gene transfer in the pathogenicity and epidemiological success of C. difficile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Isidro
- Departamento de Doenças Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal.,Departamento de Genética Humana, Unidade de Tecnologia e Inovação, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Juliana Menezes
- Departamento de Doenças Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mónica Serrano
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Vítor Borges
- Departamento de Doenças Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Pedro Paixão
- Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Ocidental, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | | | | | - Andrea Santos
- Departamento de Doenças Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Adriano O Henriques
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Mónica Oleastro
- Departamento de Doenças Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
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Antibiotic Resistances of Clostridium difficile. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1050:137-159. [PMID: 29383668 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-72799-8_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The rapid evolution of antibiotic resistance in Clostridium difficile and the consequent effects on prevention and treatment of C. difficile infections (CDIs) are matter of concern for public health. Antibiotic resistance plays an important role in driving C. difficile epidemiology. Emergence of new types is often associated with the emergence of new resistances and most of epidemic C. difficile clinical isolates is currently resistant to multiple antibiotics. In particular, it is to worth to note the recent identification of strains with reduced susceptibility to the first-line antibiotics for CDI treatment and/or for relapsing infections. Antibiotic resistance in C. difficile has a multifactorial nature. Acquisition of genetic elements and alterations of the antibiotic target sites, as well as other factors, such as variations in the metabolic pathways and biofilm production, contribute to the survival of this pathogen in the presence of antibiotics. Different transfer mechanisms facilitate the spread of mobile elements among C. difficile strains and between C. difficile and other species. Furthermore, recent data indicate that both genetic elements and alterations in the antibiotic targets can be maintained in C. difficile regardless of the burden imposed on fitness, and therefore resistances may persist in C. difficile population in absence of antibiotic selective pressure.
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10
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Couturier J, Davies K, Gateau C, Barbut F. Ribotypes and New Virulent Strains Across Europe. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1050:45-58. [PMID: 29383663 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-72799-8_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Clostridium difficile is a major bacterial cause of post-antibiotic diarrhoea. The epidemiology of C. difficile infections (CDI) has dramatically changed since the early 2000s, with an increasing incidence and severity across Europe. This trend is partly due to the emergence and rapid worldwide spread of the hypervirulent and epidemic PCR ribotype 027. Profiles of patients with CDI have also evolved, with description of community-acquired (CA) infections in patients with no traditional risk factors for CDI. However, recent epidemiological studies indicated that some European countries have successfully controlled the dissemination of the 027 clone whereas other countries recently reported the emergence of other virulent or unusual strains. The aims of this review are to summarize the current European CDI epidemiology and to describe the new virulent C. difficile strains circulating in Europe, as well as other potential emerging strains described elsewhere. Standardized typing methods and surveillance programmes are mandatory for a better understanding and monitoring of CDI in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne Couturier
- National Reference Laboratory for C. difficile, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris, France. .,Université Paris Descartes, Faculté de Pharmacie, Paris, France.
| | - Kerrie Davies
- Healthcare Associated Infections Research Group, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Cécile Gateau
- National Reference Laboratory for C. difficile, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris, France
| | - Frédéric Barbut
- National Reference Laboratory for C. difficile, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Faculté de Pharmacie, Paris, France
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