Isolation of Clostridium perfringens and Clostridioides difficile in diarrheic and nondiarrheic cats

Anaerobe. 2020 Apr:62:102164. doi: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2020.102164. Epub 2020 Jan 21.

Abstract

The occurrence and characteristics of Clostridioides (previously Clostridium) difficile and Clostridium perfringens in the feces of diarrheic and non-diarrheic cats was investigated. Apparently healthy animals were more likely to be positive for C. perfringens type A (p = 0.009). Two isolates (0.7%), one each from a diarrheic and an apparently healthy cat, were positive for the enterotoxin-encoding gene but negative for the NetF-encoding gene. Six toxigenic C. difficile isolates were isolated, all RT106 and ST42, which is commonly reported in humans with C. difficile infection.

Keywords: Colitis; Diarrhea; Feline.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cat Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Cat Diseases / epidemiology
  • Cat Diseases / microbiology*
  • Cats
  • Clostridioides difficile / classification
  • Clostridioides difficile / genetics
  • Clostridioides difficile / isolation & purification*
  • Clostridium Infections / veterinary*
  • Clostridium perfringens / classification
  • Clostridium perfringens / genetics
  • Clostridium perfringens / isolation & purification*
  • Diarrhea / veterinary*
  • Multilocus Sequence Typing
  • Phylogeny