Molecular characterization and antimicrobial susceptibilities of extra-intestinal Clostridium difficile isolates

Anaerobe. 2007 Jun-Aug;13(3-4):114-20. doi: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2007.04.001. Epub 2007 Apr 11.

Abstract

Amongst 25 extra-intestinal clinical isolates of Clostridium difficile, A(+)B(+) (72%) and A(-)B(+) (4%) toxigenic phenotypes, as well as the non-toxigenic phenotype (A(-)B(-)) (24%), were identified. The A(-)B(-) isolates did not express toxin, yet carried part of the tcdA and tcdB gene and are of a previously unreported toxinotype. Six A(+)B(+) isolates also carried binary toxin genes. Resistance to erythromycin (20%), clindamycin (48%), tetracycline (16%), moxifloxacin (16%) and imipenem (11%) occurred but with no apparent correlation to phenotype. None of the strains was resistant to vancomycin or metronidazole. Imipenem-resistance decreased by EDTA, but susceptibility to meropenem suggests the presence of an imipenem specific metalloenzyme.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
  • Bacterial Toxins / genetics*
  • Clostridioides difficile / drug effects*
  • Clostridioides difficile / genetics
  • Clostridioides difficile / isolation & purification
  • Clostridioides difficile / pathogenicity*
  • Clostridium Infections / microbiology
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  • Enterotoxins / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Intestines / microbiology*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Phenotype

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Enterotoxins
  • tcdA protein, Clostridium difficile
  • toxB protein, Clostridium difficile