The correlation between Clostridium-difficile infection and human gut concentrations of Bacteroidetes phylum and clostridial species

Abstract

We aimed to assess differences in bacterial intensities of Bacteroidetes phylum and different clostridial species in the human intestines with respect to C. difficile infection. Patients with a stool assay for C. difficile toxin were identified via the microbiology laboratory in our institute. Bacterial populations were quantified from stool samples of four groups of patients: Group I-patients with C. difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD); Group II-asymptomatic C. difficile carriers; Group III-patients with non-C. difficile diarrhea; Group IV-patients with no diarrhea and negative stool samples for the C. difficile toxin (control group). Stool was examined for three genes-C. difficile toxin A gene, 16S rRNA gene from Clostridium thermocellum representing other clostridial species, and 16S rRNA gene from Bacteroides fragilis representing the Bacteroidetes phylum. Fifty-nine patients underwent analysis of the stool (CDAD group 14, carriers group 14, non-C. difficile diarrhea group 16, control group 15). C. difficile concentration was highest in the CDAD group, followed by the carriers group. Higher concentrations of both clostridial species and Bacteriodetes were observed in the control and non-C. difficile diarrhea groups compared to the CDAD and carriers groups. We demonstrated an inverse association between infection with C. difficile and the abundance of Bacteroidetes phylum and other clostridial species in human intestines. Studies with larger samples and broader diagnostic procedures are needed in order to better explore and understand this association.

Preventive Effects of Pyungwi-san against Dextran Sulfate Sodium- and Clostridium difficile-Induced Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Mice

“…Although the differences were insignificant, a previous study showed that phylum distribution in IBD patients harbored significantly fewer Bacteroidetes than that in healthy subjects [70]. Furthermore, an inverse association has been reported between infection with C. difficile and abundance of Bacteroidetes [71]. In addition, we observed that the abundance ratio of the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes phyla was higher in the DSS + CD group than in the normal group, supporting the findings of a previous study [72].…”

Faecal microbiota transplant for recurrentClostridium difficileinfection using long-term frozen stool is effective: clinical efficacy and bacterial viability data

“…[1][2][3] Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is thought to result from a diminished indigenous colonic flora, particularly after the use of broad spectrum antibiotics, that allows C. difficile to proliferate into the resultant ecological void. [4][5][6] Recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (rCDI) is an increasing problem and hypervirulent strains have emerged 7-9 resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. 10 Faecal microbiota transplant (FMT) has become the standard of care for patients with rCDI as a result of randomised control trial evidence of its superiority to traditional antibiotic therapy alone.…”

A comparison of the gut microbiome between long‐term users and non‐users of proton pump inhibitors

“…Persons who develop CDI are known to have a decrease in the alpha diversity of the faecal microbiome compared to healthy controls, and are more likely to have a relative increase in the abundance of certain Firmicutes, specifically Enterococcus , Lactobacillus species, as well as a reduction in Bacteroidetes, as well as a decrease in Clostridiales Incertae Sedis XI, a non‐toxigenic clostridium which may competitively inhibit the proliferation of C. difficile . Clindamycin and beta‐lactams, the antibiotics most strongly associated with the development of CDI, also causes severe depletion in colonic Bacteroidetes, and an increase in Gram positive cocci, mostly Firmicutes .…”