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Updated: Feb 15, 2026

A Protocol to Characterize the Morphological Changes of Clostridium difficile in Response to Antibiotic Treatment
Published on: May 25, 2017
Transcriptional response of Clostridium difficile to low iron conditions
Jessica L Hastie1, Phillip C Hanna2, Paul E Carlson1
1Division of Bacterial, Parasitic and Allergenic Products, Office of Vaccines Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA.
Abstract:
Clostridium difficile (Cd) is the leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. During an infection, Cd must compete with both the host and other commensal bacteria to acquire iron. Iron is essential for many cell processes, but it can also cause damage if allowed to form reactive hydroxyl radicals. In all organisms, levels of free iron are tightly regulated as are processes utilizing iron molecules. Genome-wide transcriptional analysis of Cd grown in iron-depleted conditions revealed significant changes in expression of genes involved in iron transport, metabolism and virulence. These data will aid future studies examining Cd colonization and the requirements for growth in vivo during an infection.
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