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Clostridium perfringens in central Colombia: frequency, toxin genes, and risk factors

Anny Camargo1,2, Laura Bohorquez1, Diana Paola López2

  • 1Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia.

Gut Pathogens
|July 4, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Clostridium perfringens, a common bacterium, was frequently detected in Colombian individuals, even those without symptoms. Conditions like diabetes increase the risk of C. perfringens detection, suggesting a need for targeted surveillance.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Molecular Epidemiology

Background:

  • Clostridium perfringens is an opportunistic pathogen causing intestinal diseases in humans and animals.
  • Understanding its prevalence and virulence factors is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the frequency of Clostridium perfringens and its toxin genes in fecal samples from individuals with and without gastrointestinal symptoms in Boyacá, Colombia.
  • To identify risk factors associated with C. perfringens carriage and disease.

Main Methods:

  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect C. perfringens (16S-rRNA) and alpha toxin (cpa) genes in 114 fecal samples.
  • Positive samples were cultured, and isolates were further analyzed for toxin-encoding genes (cpb2, cpe, cpb).
  • Sociodemographic and clinical data from 77 individuals were analyzed for risk factors.

Main Results:

  • The overall frequency of C. perfringens was 19.3%.
  • Detection rates were 16.6% in symptomatic and 21.2% in asymptomatic individuals.
  • All isolates carried the cpa gene; cpb2 was found in 10.7%.
  • Diabetes and autoimmune diseases were significantly associated with increased C. perfringens detection (aOR 8.41).

Conclusions:

  • Clostridium perfringens, including the cpb2 gene, is prevalent in asymptomatic individuals in Boyacá, Colombia.
  • Specific chronic conditions like diabetes increase the risk of C. perfringens detection.
  • Findings support the development of targeted prevention and active surveillance strategies based on molecular epidemiology.
Keywords:
Clostridium perfringensAsymptomaticRisk factorsSymptomaticToxins

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