Extrachromosomal and integrated genetic elements in Clostridium difficile

•Clostridium difficile causes gastrointestinal disease in antibiotic-treated patients.•Clostridium difficile contains many extrachromosomal and integrated genetic elements.•Recent genomic work has given new insights into the variability and distribution of Clostridium difficile elements.•Thirty year...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Plasmid 2015-07, Vol.80, p.97-110
Main Authors: Amy, Jacob, Johanesen, Priscilla, Lyras, Dena
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Base Sequence
Clostridium difficile
Clostridium difficile - drug effects
Clostridium difficile - genetics
Conjugation
Conjugation, Genetic
DNA Transposable Elements
DNA, Bacterial - genetics
Drug Resistance, Bacterial - genetics
Genome, Bacterial
Humans
Mobilisation
Phage
Plasmid
Plasmids - genetics
Sequence Analysis, DNA
Transposon
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Summary:•Clostridium difficile causes gastrointestinal disease in antibiotic-treated patients.•Clostridium difficile contains many extrachromosomal and integrated genetic elements.•Recent genomic work has given new insights into the variability and distribution of Clostridium difficile elements.•Thirty years of research and the function of mobile genetic elements in Clostridium difficile phenotypes is discussed.•We review Clostridium difficile antibiotic resistance determinants associated with mobile genetic elements. Clostridium difficile is a major nosocomial pathogen, causing gastrointestinal disease in patients undergoing antibiotic therapy. This bacterium contains many extrachromosomal and integrated genetic elements, with recent genomic work giving new insights into their variability and distribution. This review summarises research conducted in this area over the last 30 years and includes a discussion on the functional contributions of these elements to host cell phenotypes, as well as encompassing recent genome sequencing studies that have contributed to our understanding of their evolution and dissemination. Importantly, we also include a review of antibiotic resistance determinants associated with mobile genetic elements since antibiotic use and the spread of antibiotic resistance are currently of significant global clinical importance.
ISSN:0147-619X
1095-9890
DOI:10.1016/j.plasmid.2015.04.006