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Emerging Clostridioides difficile ribotypes have divergent metabolic phenotypes
Firas S Midani1,2, Heather A Danhof1,2, Nathanael Mathew1,2
1Alkek Center for Metagenomics and Microbiome Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.
Msystems
|February 27, 2025
Summary
Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) exhibits diverse metabolic capabilities across its ribotypes. This study reveals lineage-specific metabolic differences, crucial for understanding pathogen evolution and developing targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pathogen Metabolism
- Genomic Epidemiology
Background:
- Clostridioides difficile is a significant cause of diarrheal infections.
- Genetic diversity exists among C. difficile ribotypes, with some linked to epidemics.
- Metabolic adaptations may drive the emergence of epidemic C. difficile strains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate ribotype-specific metabolic differences in Clostridioides difficile.
- To identify carbon substrate utilization patterns across various C. difficile isolates and ribotypes.
- To understand the role of metabolic adaptations in the evolution of epidemic C. difficile lineages.
Main Methods:
- Carbon substrate utilization assays were performed on 88 C. difficile clinical isolates.
- Growth differences were assessed across 22 distinct C. difficile ribotypes.
- Phylogenetic relationships were analyzed in conjunction with metabolic profiling.
Main Results:
- C. difficile isolates demonstrated varied carbon substrate utilization capabilities.
- Metabolic profiles generally clustered according to C. difficile phylogenetic lineage and ribotype.
- Emerging lineages (ribotypes 023 and 255) exhibited distinct metabolic phenotypes.
- Clade 5, despite being evolutionarily distant, showed robust growth on simple sugars, similar to other clades.
Conclusions:
- C. difficile possesses a generalist metabolic strategy but with significant lineage-specific variations.
- Metabolic divergence in emerging lineages highlights potential drivers of C. difficile epidemiology.
- Understanding C. difficile metabolic diversity is vital for pathogen evolution studies and therapeutic strategy design.
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