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A Protein Microarray Assay for Serological Determination of Antigen-specific Antibody Responses Following Clostridium difficile Infection
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Genes Encoding Toxin of Clostridium difficile in Children with and without Diarrhea

Victor R C Merino1, Viviane Nakano1, Sydney M Finegold2

  • 1Anaerobe Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Scientifica
|May 31, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Clostridium difficile 16S rRNA genes were detected in children's stool samples. Toxigenic strains, including those with toxin A and B genes, were found in asymptomatic children, indicating they may be carriers.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Clostridium difficile is a significant cause of infectious diarrhea.
  • Toxigenic strains of C. difficile produce toxins A, B, and binary toxin, contributing to disease severity.
  • Identifying carriers of toxigenic C. difficile is crucial for infection control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of Clostridium difficile 16S rRNA gene and toxin genes (tcdA, tcdB, cdtA/cdtB) in children's stool samples.
  • To investigate the genetic profiles of C. difficile strains in children with and without diarrhea.
  • To assess the potential for asymptomatic carriage of toxigenic C. difficile in children.

Main Methods:

  • A TaqMan system was utilized for the detection of specific genes in stool samples.
  • Stool samples were collected from a cohort of children, including those with and without diarrhea.
  • Genetic analysis focused on the presence of 16S rRNA, tcdA, tcdB, cdtA, and cdtB genes.

Main Results:

  • The 16S rRNA gene of C. difficile was detected in 21.9% (57/260) of the stool samples.
  • One diarrhea sample showed the genetic profile tcdA+/tcdB- and cdtA+/cdtB+.
  • Three non-diarrhea samples harbored the tcdA+/tcdB+ genetic profile, indicating the presence of toxigenic strains in asymptomatic children.

Conclusions:

  • The detection of toxigenic Clostridium difficile strains (tcdA+/tcdB+) in children without diarrhea suggests asymptomatic carriage.
  • Asymptomatic carriers may play a role in the transmission of C. difficile.
  • Further research is needed to understand the clinical implications and transmission dynamics of toxigenic C. difficile in pediatric populations.

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