Distribution of Clostridium difficile strains from a North American, European and Australian trial of treatment for C. difficile infections: 2005–2007

Clostridium difficile is a widely distributed pathogen with multiple strain types as determined by restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) and by PCR ribotyping, two well-characterized typing systems. In this study, REA typing was performed on 894 C. difficile isolates from patients enrolled from 16...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Anaerobe 2009-12, Vol.15 (6), p.230-233
Main Authors: Cheknis, Adam K., Sambol, Susan P., Davidson, David M., Nagaro, Kristin J., Mancini, Maria C., Aida Hidalgo-Arroyo, G., Brazier, Jon S., Johnson, Stuart, Gerding, Dale N.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Australia - epidemiology
Bacterial strains
Bacterial Typing Techniques
Clostridium difficile
Clostridium difficile - classification
Clostridium difficile - genetics
Clostridium difficile - isolation & purification
DNA Restriction Enzymes
Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous - epidemiology
Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous - microbiology
Europe - epidemiology
Humans
North America - epidemiology
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Ribotyping
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Summary:Clostridium difficile is a widely distributed pathogen with multiple strain types as determined by restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) and by PCR ribotyping, two well-characterized typing systems. In this study, REA typing was performed on 894 C. difficile isolates from patients enrolled from 16 countries on three continents in two large, recently conducted clinical treatment trials of C. difficile infection. REA group BI (Ribotype 027) isolates were the most common strains identified and were widely distributed throughout North America, but restricted to three of thirteen countries in Europe. REA group J (Ribotype 001) isolates were the most common strains identified in Europe and non-specific REA groups (historically less frequent) were the most common strains identified in Australia. REA groups BI, J, G and CF correlated with specific PCR ribotypes whereas more than one ribotype was found within REA groups Y, BK, and K. International surveillance of C. difficile strains is important to document the changing epidemiology of this enteric pathogen that continues to cause healthcare facility outbreaks and sporadic infections in other settings.
ISSN:1075-9964
1095-8274
DOI:10.1016/j.anaerobe.2009.09.001