Distinctive Profiles of Infection and Pathology in Hamsters Infected with Clostridium difficile Strains 630 and B1

Goulding, D., Thompson, H., Emerson, J., Fairweather, N. F., Dougan, G. and Douce, G.R. (2009) Distinctive Profiles of Infection and Pathology in Hamsters Infected with Clostridium difficile Strains 630 and B1. Infection and Immunity, 77(12), pp. 5478-5485. (doi: 10.1128/IAI.00551-09)

Abstract

The Golden Syrian Hamster is widely regarded currently an important model of Clostridium difficile disease, as oral infection of animals pre-treated with antibiotics reproduces many of the symptoms observed in man. Two C. difficile strains, B1 and 630, showed significant differences in the progression and severity of disease in this model. B1 infected hamsters exhibited more severe pathology and a shorter time to succumb to disease, compared to those infected with 630. Histological changes in the gut did not correlate with absolute numbers of C. difficile, but there were clear differences in the distribution of bacteria within gut tissues. Light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy identified high numbers of B1 at the mucosal surface of the tissue, whereas 630 were more frequently associated with the crypt regions. Both B1 and 630 were frequently observed within polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs), although interestingly, a space frequently separated B1 bacteria from the phagosome wall, a phenomenon not observed in 630. However, pilus-like structures were detected on 630 located in the crypts of the gut tissue. Furthermore, B1 but not 630 were found within non-phagocytic cells including enterocytes and muscle cells

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Douce, Dr Gillian
• Authors: Goulding, D., Thompson, H., Emerson, J., Fairweather, N. F., Dougan, G., and Douce, G.R.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: Infection and Immunity
• ISSN: 0019-9567