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Interactions Between the Gastrointestinal Microbiome and Clostridium difficile
Casey M Theriot1, Vincent B Young
1Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607.
Annual Review of Microbiology
|October 22, 2015
Summary
Antibiotics disrupt the gut microbiome, reducing resistance to pathogens like Clostridium difficile. Restoring gut bacteria metabolism may prevent and treat C. difficile infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Antibiotics profoundly impact the intestinal microbiota, diminishing colonization resistance against pathogens.
- This disruption alters the gut microbiome's community structure and the resulting intestinal metabolome.
- Understanding how antibiotics affect gut bacteria and their metabolites is crucial for combating Clostridium difficile infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review how antibiotic-induced alterations in gut microbiota structure affect intestinal metabolism.
- To explore the interactions between gut microbial products and Clostridium difficile pathogenesis.
- To highlight the potential of novel bacterial therapies for preventing and treating C. difficile infections.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on antibiotic effects on gut microbiota composition.
- Analysis of studies examining alterations in intestinal metabolomics post-antibiotic treatment.
- Synthesis of research on the interplay between microbial metabolites and C. difficile.
Main Results:
- Antibiotics significantly alter gut microbial community structure and function.
- Changes in microbial metabolism following antibiotic use are linked to reduced colonization resistance.
- Specific microbial metabolites influence Clostridium difficile spore germination, growth, and toxin production.
Conclusions:
- Antibiotic-induced dysbiosis compromises the gut's defense against C. difficile.
- Targeting bacterial metabolism offers a promising avenue for therapeutic interventions.
- Restoring gut microbial metabolism is key for preventing and treating C. difficile infections.
Keywords:
Clostridium difficileantibioticsbacterial metabolismbile acidscolonization resistancegut microbiotaMore Related Videos
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