Is there a causal relationship between trehalose consumption and Clostridioides difficile infection?

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Pathogenesis
• Metabolic pathways

Background:

• Trehalose metabolism is implicated in microbial pathogenicity.
• A potential link between trehalose consumption and Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) risk has been proposed but remains debated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the evidence regarding trehalose metabolism and its role in CDI.
• To evaluate the association between dietary trehalose and CDI risk.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on C. difficile ribotypes, trehalose utilization, and CDI.
• Analysis of animal models and human data concerning trehalose metabolism variants.

Main Results:

• Some C. difficile strains possess enhanced trehalose utilization, conferring a metabolic advantage in specific animal models.
• Trehalose-induced microbiota alterations can be protective against CDI in certain models.
• Trehalose metabolism variants are common across C. difficile types and not linked to increased disease severity or mortality.
• Microbial metabolism reduces trehalose bioavailability, potentially negating competitive advantages.

Conclusions:

• No proven causal link exists between human CDI incidence/severity and trehalose metabolism variants.
• Dietary trehalose intake does not appear to increase the risk of CDI.