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Updated: Oct 24, 2025
09:13
Development of a Larval Zebrafish Infection Model for Clostridioides difficile
Published on: February 14, 2020
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Clostridioides difficile infection: an emerging zoonosis?
Chin-Shiang Tsai1,2,3, Yuan-Pin Hung4, Jen-Chieh Lee3
1Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Dou-Liou Branch, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Yunlin, Taiwan.
Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy
|August 12, 2021
Summary
Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infections are a growing concern, with animals serving as a reservoir for transmission to humans. Household pets and food animals like chickens and pigs can carry C. difficile, posing a zoonotic risk.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and healthcare-associated infections.
- Community-acquired CDI (CA-CDI) is an emerging threat, with environmental transmission and animal reservoirs raising significant concerns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the molecular epidemiology of C. difficile in animals.
- To examine evidence of zoonotic transfer of C. difficile from animals to humans.
Main Methods:
- Systematic electronic literature search of PubMed and Google Scholar databases.
- Review of studies on C. difficile in animal populations and human C. difficile cases.
Main Results:
- C. difficile detected in diarrheal dogs and cats, indicating household pets as potential sources.
- Hypervirulent C. difficile ribotype 078 strains identified in food animals (chickens, pigs) and processing facilities.
- Risk factors for animal C. difficile carriage include young age, diet changes, and antibiotic overuse.
Conclusions:
- Household pets and food animals represent significant reservoirs for C. difficile, posing a zoonotic threat to human health.
- Advancements in whole genome sequencing will provide stronger evidence for C. difficile zoonotic transmission pathways.
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