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Clostridium difficile infection in hamsters fed an atherogenic diet
T L Blankenship-Paris1, B J Walton, Y O Hayes
1Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA.
Veterinary Pathology
|May 1, 1995
Summary
An atherogenic diet, high in fat and cholesterol, increased hamster susceptibility to Clostridium difficile infection, leading to diarrhea and unexpected death in research animals.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Microbiology
- Animal Research
Background:
- Syrian hamsters are used in hyperlipoproteinemia and atherosclerosis research.
- High mortality rates were observed in hamsters fed an atherogenic diet.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cause of unexpected deaths and diarrhea in hamsters on an atherogenic diet.
- To determine if Clostridium difficile infection was associated with the diet.
Main Methods:
- Hamsters were fed an atherogenic diet (18% saturated fat, 0.366% cholesterol) or a control diet.
- Clinical signs, gross and histologic lesions, and C. difficile cultures were analyzed.
- Toxigenic C. difficile was isolated from affected animals.
Main Results:
- Mortality began 45 days after diet initiation, leading to study abortion.
- Clinical signs included acute diarrhea and unexpected death.
- Pathologic findings included intestinal necrosis, hemorrhage, inflammation, and hepatic lipidosis.
- Toxigenic Clostridium difficile was identified in ill or deceased hamsters.
- C. difficile was not found in feed or diet; no antibiotics were detected.
Conclusions:
- Hamsters fed an atherogenic diet exhibit increased susceptibility to Clostridium difficile infection.
- Dietary factors in atherogenic diets may predispose hamsters to C. difficile-related disease.
