Gut Microbiota Composition Associated with Clostridioides difficile Colonization and Infection.

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Gastroenterology
• Immunology

Background:

• Clostridioides difficile is an anaerobic, spore-forming bacterium.
• C. difficile infection (CDI) causes acute diarrhea and colitis, often linked to toxins A and B.
• Two states exist: CDI and asymptomatic colonization (AC).

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the link between gut microbiota and CDI development.
• To understand why some colonized individuals develop CDI while others remain asymptomatic.

Main Methods:

• This is a review of existing data.
• Analysis of gut microbiota composition in AC and CDI patients compared to healthy individuals.

Main Results:

• Asymptomatic colonization (AC) showed reduced abundances of Prevotella, Alistipes, Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Dorea, Coprococcus, and Roseburia.
• CDI patients exhibited reduced Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, Blautia, Prevotella, Dialister, Bifidobacterium, Roseburia, Anaerostipes, Faecalibacterium, and Coprococcus.
• Increased Enterococcaceae and Enterococcus abundances were associated with CDI.

Conclusions:

• Gut microbiota dysbiosis plays a role in Clostridioides difficile infection.
• Specific microbial shifts, including reductions in beneficial bacteria and increases in Enterococcus, are associated with CDI.