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Published on: December 10, 2016
Colonization Dynamics of Clostridioides difficile in Suckling and Weaning Piglets
Ana Martín Bermúdez1, Eduardo Salido2, Maria Jose Ramos-Real1
1Department of Microbiology, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Carretera Ofra s/n, 38320 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain.
Veterinary Sciences
|May 26, 2026
Summary
Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) was found in young piglets in Tenerife, Spain. This specific strain, RT033, may pose a zoonotic risk, highlighting the need for integrated surveillance.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Zoonoses
- Veterinary Medicine
Background:
- Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a significant cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and hospital-acquired infections.
- Increasing community-acquired cases suggest alternative transmission routes, with livestock, particularly pigs, proposed as potential reservoirs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of zoonotic C. difficile ribotypes in piglets in Tenerife, Spain.
- To assess the pathogenic potential of detected C. difficile strains by identifying toxin genes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 140 samples: 58 fecal samples from slaughtered piglets and 82 rectal swabs from young piglets.
- Sample processing included culturing, identification via MALDI-TOF MS, PCR ribotyping, and toxin gene detection.
Main Results:
- No C. difficile isolates were recovered from slaughtered piglets' fecal samples.
- 14% of rectal swabs from piglets aged 2-25 days were positive for C. difficile.
- Colonization was age-dependent, peaking at 2 days old (100%) and declining significantly by day 9.
- All positive isolates belonged to ribotype RT033 (tcdA+/tcdB-/cdtA+/cdtB+), a lineage linked to animal reservoirs.
Conclusions:
- The exclusive detection of RT033 in young piglets suggests a potential zoonotic risk, particularly for individuals in close contact with livestock.
- Findings underscore the importance of integrated C. difficile surveillance within a One Health framework to monitor emerging ribotypes and their public health implications.
