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Culturing and Maintaining Clostridium difficile in an Anaerobic Environment
11:13

Culturing and Maintaining Clostridium difficile in an Anaerobic Environment

Published on: September 14, 2013

Changes in the cell wall of Clostridium species following passage in animals

I Brook, R Cole, R I Walker

    Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek
    |January 1, 1986
    PubMed

    Insights

    Animal passage and co-infection with other bacteria induced morphological changes in clostridial isolates. Certain clostridia developed thick walls after passage, suggesting adaptation during mixed infections.

    Area of Science:

    • Microbiology
    • Bacterial Pathogenesis
    • Animal Models

    Background:

    • Clostridial species are diverse bacteria with varying pathogenic potentials.
    • Understanding clostridial morphology is crucial for diagnosing and treating infections.
    • Mixed infections involving clostridia and other bacteria can alter disease presentation.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate morphological changes in clostridial isolates after animal passage in mixed infections.
    • To determine if co-infection with other flora influences clostridial wall formation.

    Main Methods:

    • Utilized a subcutaneous abscess model in mice.
    • Inoculated mice with 26 clostridial isolates from 7 species, plus Bacteroides fragilis and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
    • Observed morphological changes, specifically the formation of a thick granular wall.

    Main Results:

    • Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium butyricum, and Clostridium difficile exhibited a thick granular wall prior to animal passage.
    • Other clostridial species developed this wall structure only after animal passage, either alone or with K. pneumoniae or B. fragilis.

    Conclusions:

    • Animal passage and co-infection with specific bacteria (K. pneumoniae, B. fragilis) can induce significant morphological changes in clostridial isolates.
    • The development of a thick granular wall in certain clostridia is influenced by the host environment and the presence of other microorganisms.

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