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Updated: Aug 7, 2026
06:51
Cefoperazone-treated Mouse Model of Clinically-relevant Clostridium difficile Strain R20291
Published on: December 10, 2016
The multidrug-resistant human pathogen Clostridium difficile has a highly mobile, mosaic genome
Mohammed Sebaihia1, Brendan W Wren, Peter Mullany
1Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK.
Nature Genetics
|June 29, 2006
Summary
Clostridium difficile strain 630
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Clostridium difficile is a significant cause of healthcare-associated infections.
- Understanding its genome is crucial for developing effective treatments and prevention strategies.
- Strain 630 is a well-characterized, virulent, and multidrug-resistant isolate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the complete genome sequence of Clostridium difficile strain 630.
- To identify genetic elements contributing to its virulence and resistance.
- To investigate adaptations for survival in the gut environment.
Main Methods:
- Whole-genome sequencing of Clostridium difficile strain 630.
- Bioinformatic analysis to identify mobile genetic elements and gene functions.
- Whole-genome microarray analysis to assess genome variability.
Main Results:
- The genome sequence of C. difficile strain 630 was fully determined.
- Mobile genetic elements, particularly conjugative transposons, comprise 11% of the genome.
- These elements are linked to antimicrobial resistance, virulence, and host interaction genes.
- The genome reveals adaptations for survival in the gut.
- Significant genome variability was confirmed, suggesting adaptation to its ecological niche.
Conclusions:
- The genome of C. difficile strain 630 harbors numerous mobile genetic elements.
- These elements likely facilitate the acquisition of virulence and resistance traits.
- Genome variability may reflect adaptation and evolution of virulence in C. difficile.
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