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Updated: Sep 17, 2025
Cefoperazone-treated Mouse Model of Clinically-relevant Clostridium difficile Strain R20291
Published on: December 10, 2016
Phenotypic and genomic characterization of Clostridioides difficile strains involved in multiple recurrences
Anne Lecoutour1, Victoria Mesa-Schein2, Jeanne Couturier3
1INSERM S-1139, Pharmacy Faculty, Paris Cité University, 4 avenue de l'Observatoire, Paris, France; Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition Unit, Necker - Enfants Malades Hospital, AP-HP Paris Cité University, 149 Rue de Sèvres, 75015, Paris, France.
Background:
Multiple relapses of Clostridioides difficile infections (CDI) are frequent, impact patients' quality of life, and are challenging to treat. These relapses are either linked to the patient's conditions (immunity, intestinal dysbiosis) or potentially to strain-specific characteristics.
Objectives:
This study aims to determine the genomic and phenotypic characteristics of C. difficile (CD) strains associated with multiple relapses of CDIs (rCDI).
Material And Methods:
Between 2019 and 2022, 10 CD strains responsible for multiple (≥2) relapses were matched on PCR ribotype to 10 CD control strains isolated from patients with a single episode. Genomic (resistome, virulome, mobile genetic elements) and phenotypic (motility, sporulation, germination, biofilm production, stress resistance) characteristics of relapse and control strains were compared.
Results:
No significant genomic or phenotypic differences were identified between strains involved in multiple relapses and control strains. Our analyses revealed significant genomic and phenotypic variability among strains.
Conclusion:
The origin of rCDI does not seem to be directly related to the C. difficile strain, suggesting that these relapses are more likely associated with other factors, such as intestinal dysbiosis or the patient's immune status.
