Optimising gut colonisation resistance against Clostridium difficile infection

Yuille, S., Mackay, W. G., Morrison, D. J. and Tedford, M. C. (2015) Optimising gut colonisation resistance against Clostridium difficile infection. European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 34(11), pp. 2161-2166. (doi: 10.1007/s10096-015-2479-6) (PMID:26354525)

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Abstract

Clostridium difficile is the dominant cause of pseudomembranous colitis in nosocomial environments. C. difficile infection (CDI) generally affects elderly (≥ 65) hospital in-patients who have received broad spectrum antimicrobial treatment. CDI has a 30% risk of reinfection and subsequent 60% risk of relapse thereafter, leading to a high economic burden of over 7 billion pounds sterling and over 900,000 cases in the USA and Europe per annum. With the long-term consequences of faecal transplantation currently unknown, and limited spectrum of effective antibiotics, there is an urgent requirement for alternative means of preventing and treating CDI in high risk individuals. Metagenomics has recently improved our understanding of the colonisation resistance barrier and how this could be optimised. pH, oxidation-reduction potentials and short chain fatty acids have been suggested to inhibit C. difficile growth and toxin production in vitro and in vivo studies. This review aims to pull together the evidence in support of a colonisation resistance barrier against CDI.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Morrison, Professor Douglas
Authors: Yuille, S., Mackay, W. G., Morrison, D. J., and Tedford, M. C.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
Journal Name:European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
Publisher:Springer Berlin Heidelberg
ISSN:0934-9723
ISSN (Online):1435-4373
Published Online:09 September 2015
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2015 Springer Berlin Heidelberg
First Published:First published in European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 34(11):2161-2166
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.

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