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Heterogeneity of Clostridium difficile isolates from infants
A Collignon1, L Ticchi, C Depitre
1Microbiology Unity, Hospital Jean Verdier, Bondy, France.
European Journal of Pediatrics
|April 1, 1993
Summary
Infants are frequently colonized by Clostridium difficile. While some strains produce toxins A and B, most colonized infants showed no C. difficile-related illness, suggesting varied pathogenicity in this population.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Clostridium difficile is a significant cause of infectious diarrhea in various populations.
- Understanding C. difficile colonization and pathogenicity in infants is crucial for clinical management.
- Strain characterization, including toxin production and serogroup, is key to assessing virulence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize Clostridium difficile strains isolated from hospitalized infants.
- To investigate the prevalence of toxin A and B production and specific serogroups in infant isolates.
- To understand the role of C. difficile colonization in infant health outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 102 fecal samples from infants aged 0-12 months over a 9-month period.
- Detection of toxin A in fecal samples.
- Characterization of C. difficile isolates for toxin A and B production and serogroup identification.
Main Results:
- 26% of infants were colonized with C. difficile.
- 62.5% of isolates were non-toxigenic (neither toxin A nor B), while 37.5% were toxigenic (both toxins).
- Toxigenic strains belonged to serogroups H and K; non-toxigenic strains were predominantly serogroup D. Only 3 infants had detectable toxin A in feces, and none required specific treatment.
Conclusions:
- Infants can be colonized by both toxigenic and non-toxigenic C. difficile strains.
- Virulent serogroups (H, K) can colonize infants, but pathogenicity appears limited in this age group.
- Further research is needed to elucidate mechanisms behind the observed low pathogenicity in colonized infants.