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Culturing and Maintaining Clostridium difficile in an Anaerobic Environment
11:13

Culturing and Maintaining Clostridium difficile in an Anaerobic Environment

Published on: September 15, 2013

Isolation rates and toxigenic potential of Clostridium difficile isolates from various patient populations

R Viscidi, S Willey, J G Bartlett

    Gastroenterology
    |July 1, 1981
    PubMed

    Insights

    Healthy neonates frequently carry Clostridium difficile and its toxin without symptoms. In adults, gastrointestinal issues correlate with toxin presence and strain potential, especially in antibiotic-associated colitis.

    Area of Science:

    • Microbiology
    • Clinical Medicine
    • Gastroenterology

    Background:

    • Clostridium difficile is an opportunistic pathogen.
    • Antibiotic use disrupts gut microbiota, increasing C. difficile risk.
    • Toxin production by C. difficile is linked to disease severity.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To determine isolation rates of Clostridium difficile and its toxin production in vitro across different populations.
    • To investigate the correlation between C. difficile colonization, toxin presence, and clinical symptoms.

    Main Methods:

    • Stool specimens were collected from healthy neonates, children, adults without diarrhea, and patients with antibiotic-associated colitis.
    • Isolation of Clostridium difficile was performed.
    • Cytopathic toxin detection in vitro was conducted.
    • Toxigenic potential of C. difficile isolates was assessed.

    Main Results:

    • Clostridium difficile and its cytotoxin were frequently detected in healthy neonates (12/45).
    • Neither organism nor toxin was found in healthy adults without recent antibiotic use.
    • In adults receiving antibiotics without diarrhea, C. difficile was common but toxin was rare (1/56).
    • Most patients with antibiotic-associated colitis had both C. difficile and its cytotoxin.
    • All but two of 165 C. difficile isolates produced cytotoxin in vitro, with higher concentrations from symptomatic patients.

    Conclusions:

    • Neonates are often asymptomatic carriers of Clostridium difficile and its cytotoxin.
    • In adults, gastrointestinal symptoms correlate with toxin assays and the toxigenic potential of isolated strains.
    • The study highlights the importance of considering C. difficile and its toxin in various patient groups, particularly neonates and those with antibiotic-associated symptoms.

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