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Updated: Jul 13, 2025
Cefoperazone-treated Mouse Model of Clinically-relevant Clostridium difficile Strain R20291
Published on: December 10, 2016
Acquisition site-based remodelling of Clostridium perfringens- and Clostridioides difficile-related gut microbiota
Giovanny Herrera1, Laura Vega1, Anny Camargo2
1Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología -UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia.
Introduction:
Clostridium perfringens is a gram-positive, anaerobic sporulating bacillus which can infect several hosts, thereby being considered the causative agent of many gut illnesses. Some studies have suggested that C. perfringens's virulence factors may negatively affect gut microbiota homeostasis by decreasing beneficial bacteria; however, studies have failed to evaluate the simultaneous presence of other pathogenic bacteria, such as C. difficile (another sporulating bacillus known to play a role in gut microbiota imbalance). Conscious of the lack of compelling data, this work has ascertained how such microorganisms' coexistence can be associated with a variation in gut microbiota composition, compared to that of C. perfringens colonisation.
Methods:
PCR was thus used for identifying C. perfringens and C. difficile in 98 samples. Amplicon-based sequencing of 16S- and 18S-rRNA genes' V4 hypervariable region from such samples was used for determining the microbiota's taxonomical composition and diversity.
Results:
Small differences were observed in bacterial communities' taxonomic composition and diversity; such imbalance was mainly associated with groups having hospital-acquired diarrhoea.
Conclusion:
The alterations reported herein may have been influenced by C. difficile and diarrhoea acquisition site, despite C. perfringens' ability to cause alterations in microbiota due to its virulence factors. Our findings highlight the need for a holistic view of gut microbiota.
Insights
This study investigated the impact of Clostridium perfringens and Clostridium difficile coinfection on gut microbiota. While C. perfringens can alter gut bacteria, C. difficile and hospital-acquired diarrhea were more strongly associated with observed microbial imbalances.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gut Microbiome Research
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Clostridium perfringens is a known cause of gut illnesses and may disrupt gut microbiota.
- The role of C. perfringens in conjunction with other pathogens like C. difficile on gut microbiota remains understudied.
- This research addresses the lack of data on the combined effects of these bacteria on gut microbial composition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the coexistence of Clostridium perfringens and Clostridium difficile and variations in gut microbiota composition.
- To compare the gut microbiota composition in cases of C. perfringens colonization versus coinfection with C. difficile.
- To understand the influence of these pathogens on gut microbial homeostasis.
Main Methods:
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was employed to detect C. perfringens and C. difficile in 98 samples.
- Amplicon-based sequencing of the 16S- and 18S-rRNA genes' V4 hypervariable region was performed.
- Taxonomical composition and diversity of the gut microbiota were determined using sequencing data.
Main Results:
- Minor differences in the taxonomic composition and diversity of bacterial communities were observed.
- Gut microbial imbalance was primarily linked to patient groups experiencing hospital-acquired diarrhea.
- The presence of C. difficile appeared to be a significant factor in the observed microbial alterations.
Conclusions:
- While C. perfringens possesses virulence factors that can alter the microbiota, C. difficile and the site of diarrhea acquisition may have a greater influence on microbial composition.
- The findings suggest that the interplay between different pathogens and the clinical context (e.g., hospital-acquired diarrhea) is crucial.
- A comprehensive, holistic approach is necessary for understanding gut microbiota dynamics in the context of infectious agents.
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