The Global Spread of Clostridium difficile

Genetic analysis of a global C. difficile collection suggests that acquisition of fluoroquinolone resistance has contributed to recent outbreaks.

In 1978, Clostridium difficile was identified as the principal cause of antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis; through the 1980s and 1990s, it was a common cause of nosocomial diarrhea. The last decade has seen a marked rise in C. difficile infections (CDIs) worldwide, with increased rates of recurrence and mortality. Severe CDI outbreaks in North America, Europe, and — more recently — Australia have been linked to the rapid emergence of a previously uncommon clone, 027/BI/NAP1. To explore this situation, a multinational group of investigators sequenced the genomes of a global collection of 151 C. difficile 027/BI/NAP1 isolates obtained mainly from hospitalized patients between 1985 and 2010.

A total of 536 single-nucleotide polymor…

Reviewing Author

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health