Abstract

CARDOSO, Cláudia et al. Clostridium difficile strain stypes determination in patients infected with this bacteria. J Port Gastrenterol. [online]. 2013, vol.20, n.6, pp.250-254. ISSN 0872-8178.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpg.2013.01.002.

Introduction: The incidence of Clostridium difficile- associated disease (CDAD) has increased in the last years. Molecular analysis of the different strains of this bacteria has identified specific ribotypes associated with a more severe disease. Aim: Molecular characterization of Clostridium difficile strains isolated from consecutive inpatients with CDAD and its correlation with clinical outcome. Material and methods: A prospective analysis of consecutive patients with CDAD recruited during 18 months. Epidemiological, clinical and laboratory data were collected. After stool culture, the isolates were genetically characterized with primers for gluD, tcdA and tcdB genes. The strains were then typed by PCR ribotyping, with primers for rRNA16S-23S genes, and capillary gel electrophoresis analysis. Results: 20 patients were included, 65% were female. Their mean age was 73 years. In the majority of cases the infection was nosocomial and there was a history of antibiotic therapy intake. All strains were confirmed as toxins A and/or B producing Clostridium difficile. Ribotypes R014, R027, R126 and R051 were the most common strains. There was no correlation between isolated strains and the severity of the disease. Conclusions: In our series, there was a lack of association between clinical outcome of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea and the several strains identified.

Keywords : Clostridium difficile; Ribotyping; Pulsed field gel electrophoresis.

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