Variation in germination of Clostridium difficile clinical isolates correlates to disease severity.

ABSTRACT: Over the past two decades, Clostridium difficile infections have been increasing in both number and severity throughout the world. As with other spore forming bacteria, germination is a vital step in the life cycle of this pathogen. Studies have examined differences in sporulation and toxin production among a number of C. difficile clinical isolates; however, few have examined differences in germination and the relationship between this phenotype and disease severity. Here, over 100 C. difficile isolates from the University of Michigan Health System were examined for overall germination in response to various combinations of known germinants (taurocholate) and co-germinants (glycine and histidine). Significant variation was observed among isolates under all conditions tested. Isolates repr

SUBMITTER: Carlson PE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4467518 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature