Detection of the ADP-ribosyltransferase toxin gene (cdtA) and its activity in Clostridium difficile isolates from Equidae

FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2000 Mar 1;184(1):29-33. doi: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2000.tb08985.x.

Abstract

Clostridium difficile is an antibiotic-associated emerging pathogen of humans and animals. Thus far three toxins of C. difficile have been described: an enterotoxin (ToxA), a cytotoxin (ToxB) and an ADP-ribosyltransferase (CDT). In the present work we describe the first isolation of CDT producing C. difficile from Equidae with gastro-intestinal disease. Out of 17 C. difficile strains isolated from Equidae, 11 were positive for the genes tcdA and tcdB encoding ToxA and ToxB. In addition four of these 11 isolates were positive for the cdtA gene encoding the catalytic subunit of the ADP-ribosyltransferase CDT. Interestingly none of the isolates derived from canines (41 isolates) and felines (4 isolates) harboured the cdtA gene. In C. difficile field isolates which contained the cdtA gene, ADP-ribosyltransferase activity could also be detected in culture supernatants indicating expression and secretion of CDT. All strains were associated with intestinal disorders, but no association was found for the occurrence of toxins with a specific clinical diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ADP Ribose Transferases*
  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins*
  • Bacterial Toxins / genetics
  • Cats / genetics
  • Cats / microbiology
  • Clostridioides difficile / enzymology
  • Clostridioides difficile / genetics*
  • DNA, Bacterial / chemistry
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • Dogs / genetics
  • Dogs / microbiology
  • Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / veterinary*
  • Exotoxins / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic
  • Horse Diseases / microbiology*
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases / genetics*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa Exotoxin A
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Virulence Factors*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Bacterial Toxins
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Exotoxins
  • Virulence Factors
  • toxB protein, Clostridium difficile
  • ADP Ribose Transferases
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases