Effect of antibiotic treatment on the formation of non-spore Clostridium difficile persister-like cells

�lvarez, R.; Inostroza, O.; Garavaglia, M.; Minton, N P; Paredes-Sabja, D.; Gil, F

Abstract

Background: The spore is the virulence factor identified to be involved in the recurrence of the disease caused by Clostridium difficile. Objectives: To demonstrate that lethal antibiotic concentrations induce the appearance of C. difficile persisterlike non-spore cells. Methods: C. difficile and derivative spo0A mutant strains were tested for their susceptibility to antibiotics, as determined using an agar dilution method. Persister-cell generation was determined for all strains using up to 10× the MIC of every antibiotic for up to 6 days. Results: Using up to 10× the MIC of every antibiotic, we were able to induce the appearance of persister-like behaviour since biphasic killing curves could be observed in response to treatment antibiotics. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this work provides, for the first time, experimental evidence of the appearance of C. difficile persister-like cells, opening a new research avenue in the pathogenesis of this nosocomial pathogen.

Citation

Álvarez, R., Inostroza, O., Garavaglia, M., Minton, N. P., Paredes-Sabja, D., & Gil, F. (2018). Effect of antibiotic treatment on the formation of non-spore Clostridium difficile persister-like cells. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 73(9), 2396-2399. https://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dky186

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 19, 2018
• Online Publication Date: May 10, 2018
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2018
• Deposit Date: Apr 30, 2019
• Journal: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
• Print ISSN: 0305-7453
• Electronic ISSN: 1460-2091
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 73
• Issue: 9
• Pages: 2396-2399
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dky186
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1854077
• Publisher URL: https://academic.oup.com/jac/article/73/9/2396/4995082