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A Protocol to Characterize the Morphological Changes of Clostridium difficile in Response to Antibiotic Treatment
Published on: May 25, 2017
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Adaptation of host transmission cycle during Clostridium difficile speciation
Nitin Kumar1, Hilary P Browne2, Elisa Viciani2
1Host-Microbiota Interactions Laboratory, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK. nk6@sanger.ac.uk.
Nature Genetics
|August 14, 2019
Summary
Clostridium difficile is evolving into a new species, driven by selection for simple sugar metabolism and enhanced spore production. This adaptation aids its transmission in healthcare settings.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Microbial genomics
- Bacterial speciation
Background:
- Bacterial speciation involves genetic and phenotypic divergence.
- Selective forces driving bacterial species formation are not well understood.
- Clostridium difficile is a significant healthcare-associated pathogen.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ongoing speciation of Clostridium difficile.
- To identify genetic adaptations and selective pressures involved in C. difficile speciation.
- To understand the functional consequences of these adaptations.
Main Methods:
- Large-scale genomic analysis of 906 Clostridium difficile strains.
- Identification of positively selected core genes.
- Functional validation of metabolic and sporulation traits.
Main Results:
- Genomic analysis revealed ongoing speciation in C. difficile.
- Positive selection identified on genes for sporulation and simple sugar metabolism.
- Enhanced spore resistance, sporulation, and host colonization observed with glucose/fructose metabolism.
Conclusions:
- A new C. difficile species is emerging, adapted for healthcare transmission.
- Selection favors metabolism of simple dietary sugars and robust spore formation.
- This emerging species exhibits increased capacity for host colonization and survival.
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