Molecular Basis of TcdR-Dependent Promoter Activity for Toxin Production by Clostridioides difficile Studied by a Heterologous Reporter System - PubMed
The alternative σ factor TcdR controls the synthesis of two major enterotoxins: TcdA and TcdB in Clostridioides difficile. Four potential TcdR-dependent promoters in the pathogenicity locus of C. difficile showed different activities. In this study, we constructed a heterologous system …
C. difficile, emerging pathogens, genomics, and antimicrobial resistance
A new study published in OMICS: A Journal of Integrative Biology has identified genes for virulence and antimicrobial resistance in two bacteria that co-occur with C. difficile, suggesting these pathogens ...
Grad-seq identifies KhpB as a global RNA-binding protein in Clostridioides difficile that regulates toxin production - PubMed
Much of our current knowledge about cellular RNA-protein complexes in bacteria is derived from analyses in gram-negative model organisms, with the discovery of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) generally lagging behind in Gram-positive species. Here, we have applied Grad-seq analysis of native RNA-protein …
Clostridioides difficile infection associated to gut microbiome dysbiosis is the leading cause for nosocomial diarrhea. The ability of C. difficile to form biofilms has been progressively linked to its pathogenesis as well as its persistence in the gut. Although C. difficile has …
Emerging Pathogens in Planetary Health and Lessons from Comparative Genome Analyses of Three Clostridia Species - PubMed
Clostridioides difficile (CD) is a major planetary health burden. A Gram-positive opportunistic pathogen, CD, colonizes the large intestine and is implicated in sepsis, pseudomembranous colitis, and colorectal cancer. C. difficile infection typically following antibiotic exposure resul …
COVID-19 and the Genetics of Inflammation : Critical Care Medicine
logic mutations leading to clonal hematopoiesis (CH) may further increase vulnerability to adverse sequelae. This review summarizes the available literature examining genetic predispositions to severe COVID-19 and describes how these findings could eventually be used to improve its clinical management. DATA SOURCES: A PubMed literature search was performed. STUDY SELECTION: Studies examining the significance of inherited genetic variation or acquired CH mutations in severe COVID-19 were selected for inclusion. DATA EXTRACTION: Relevant genetic association data and aspects of study design were qualitatively assessed and narratively synthesized. DATA SYNTHESIS: Genetic variants affecting inflammatory responses may increase susceptibility to severe COVID-19. Genome-wide association studies and candidate gene approaches have identified a list of inherited mutations, which likely alter cytokine and interferon secretion, and lung-specific mechanisms of immunity in COVID-19. The potential role of CH in COVID-19 is more uncertain at present; however, the available evidence suggests that the various types of acquired mutations and their differential influence on immune cell function must be carefully considered. CONCLUSIONS: The current literature supports the hypothesis that host genetic factors affect vulnerability to severe COVID-19. Further research is required to confirm the full scope of relevant variants and the causal mechanisms underlying these associations. Clinical approaches, which consider the genetic basis of interindividual variability in COVID-19 and potentially other causes of critical illness, could optimize hospital resource allocation, predict responsiveness to treatment, identify more efficacious drug targets, and ultimately improve outcomes....
Influence of high- and low-fermentable dietary fibres in sows' diet on the colostrum potential against Clostridioides difficile toxin-induced effects in IPEC-J2 cells - PubMed
Sow colostrum has been reported to protect the IPEC-J2 cells and piglet colon tissues from detrimental effect of Clostridioides difficile toxins. Since dietary fibre can influence the colostrum composition in sows, we hypothesised that it can also differentially affect the colostrum potential agains …
#Cdiff is known to colonize in the large intestine of humans. #guthealth #GITwitter #IDTwitter pic.twitter.com/cmi7ySohdi— Microbiome Science (@MbiomeScience) May 17, 2023
Biology undergraduate awarded research opportunity at McMaster and Guelph
Biology student Paige Hopkinson has been awarded the new One Health Summer Research Studentship, a partnership between the Global Nexus School for Pandemic Prevention and Response at McMaster and the University of Guelph's One Health Institute.
Molecular “Superpower” of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Revealed in New Research
A species of ordinary gut bacteria that we all carry flourishes when the intestinal flora is knocked out by a course of antibiotics. Since the bacteria is naturally resistant to many antibiotics, it causes problems, particularly in healthcare settings. A study led by Lund University in Sweden now sh
Nature Reviews Microbiology - In this Review, Carmody and Bisanz examine the role of the gut microbiome in energy metabolism, the two-way relationship between the gut microbiome and weight...
Emerging Pathogens in Planetary Health and Lessons from Comparative Genome Analyses of Three Clostridia Species - PubMed
Clostridioides difficile (CD) is a major planetary health burden. A Gram-positive opportunistic pathogen, CD, colonizes the large intestine and is implicated in sepsis, pseudomembranous colitis, and colorectal cancer. C. difficile infection typically following antibiotic exposure resul …
Researchers Characterize Impact of Microbial Interactions on C diff Susceptibility to Antibiotics
Using a diverse human gut community, researchers investigated how gut microbiota interspecies interactions affected the response of Clostridioides difficile to vancomycin and metronidazole.
Gut microbiota interspecies interactions shape the response of Clostridioides difficile to clinically relevant antibiotics | PLOS Biology
This study examines how interactions between constituent members of the human gut microbiome influence the pathogen C. difficile’s response to clinically relevant antibiotics, providing key insights into ecological principles and molecular mechanisms that influence antibiotic susceptibility in this health-relevant system.
Clostridioides difficile Toxin B Induced Senescence: A New Pathologic Player for Colorectal Cancer? - PubMed
Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) is responsible for a high percentage of gastrointestinal infections and its pathological activity is due to toxins A and B. C. difficile infection (CDI) is increasing worldwide due to the unstoppable spread of C. difficile in the an …
C. Diff Antibiotic Efficacy Depends on Gut Microbiome
Researchers suggest that entire gut microbiome should be considered when designing antibiotic treatments, after finding that the susceptibility of the pathogen Clostridioides difficile depends on the presence of other bacteria.
Low prevalence of Clostridioides difficile infection in acute severe ulcerative colitis: A retrospective cohort study from northern India - PubMed
Despite antecedent risk factors for CDI, the overall prevalence of CDI in ASUC was low and the outcomes were determined by underlying disease severity.
Host Immunity and Immunization Strategies for Clostridioides difficile Infection - PubMed
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) represents a significant challenge to public health. C. difficile-associated mortality and morbidity have led the U.S. CDC to designate it as an urgent threat. Moreover, recurrence or relapses can occur in up to a third of CDI patients, due in part to antibio …
Personalized Clostridioides difficile engraftment risk prediction and probiotic therapy assessment in the human gut - PubMed
Clostridioides difficile colonizes up to 30-40% of community-dwelling adults without causing disease 1, 2 . C. difficile infections (CDIs) are the leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in the U.S. 3, 4 and typically develop in individuals following disru …
The cell wall lipoprotein CD1687 acts as a DNA binding protein during deoxycholate-induced biofilm formation in Clostridioides difficile - PubMed
The ability of bacterial pathogens to establish recurrent and persistent infections is frequently associated with their ability to form biofilms. Clostridioides difficile infections have a high rate of recurrence and relapses and it is hypothesized that biofilms are involved in its pathogenicity and …
Gut microbiota interspecies interactions shape the response of Clostridioides difficile to clinically relevant antibiotics - PubMed
In the human gut, the growth of the pathogen Clostridioides difficile is impacted by a complex web of interspecies interactions with members of human gut microbiota. We investigate the contribution of interspecies interactions on the antibiotic response of C. difficile to clinically relevant antibio …
Answers to Long-Standing Mystery: How Dormant Bacteria Come Back to Life
Research provides answers to the long-standing mystery of bacterial spores, illuminating new paths for disease prevention. Inert, sleeping bacteria — or spores — can survive for years, even centuries, without nutrients, resisting heat, UV radiation, antibiotics, and other harsh chemicals. Ho
Personalized Clostridioides difficile engraftment risk prediction and probiotic therapy assessment in the human gut - PubMed
Clostridioides difficile colonizes up to 30-40% of community-dwelling adults without causing disease 1, 2 . C. difficile infections (CDIs) are the leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in the U.S. 3, 4 and typically develop in individuals following disru …
Butyrate enhances Clostridioides difficile sporulation in vitro - PubMed
Several studies suggest that butyrate may be important in alleviating gut infections, such as reducing inflammation caused by the healthcare-associated Clostridioides difficile . While studies in both animal models and human studies correlate high levels of butyrate with reduced C. diffici …