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Toxin B is essential for virulence of Clostridium difficile

Author

Listed:
  • Dena Lyras

    (Australian Bacterial Pathogenesis Program and,)

  • Jennifer R. O’Connor

    (Australian Bacterial Pathogenesis Program and,
    Medical Service and Research Service, Hines VA Hospital, Hines, Illinois 60141, USA, and Infectious Disease Section, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois 60153, USA)

  • Pauline M. Howarth

    (Australian Bacterial Pathogenesis Program and,)

  • Susan P. Sambol

    (Medical Service and Research Service, Hines VA Hospital, Hines, Illinois 60141, USA, and Infectious Disease Section, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois 60153, USA)

  • Glen P. Carter

    (Australian Bacterial Pathogenesis Program and,)

  • Tongted Phumoonna

    (Australian Bacterial Pathogenesis Program and,)

  • Rachael Poon

    (Australian Bacterial Pathogenesis Program and,
    Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Structural and Functional Microbial Genomics, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia)

  • Vicki Adams

    (Australian Bacterial Pathogenesis Program and,)

  • Gayatri Vedantam

    (Medical Service and Research Service, Hines VA Hospital, Hines, Illinois 60141, USA, and Infectious Disease Section, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois 60153, USA)

  • Stuart Johnson

    (Medical Service and Research Service, Hines VA Hospital, Hines, Illinois 60141, USA, and Infectious Disease Section, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois 60153, USA)

  • Dale N. Gerding

    (Medical Service and Research Service, Hines VA Hospital, Hines, Illinois 60141, USA, and Infectious Disease Section, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois 60153, USA)

  • Julian I. Rood

    (Australian Bacterial Pathogenesis Program and,
    Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Structural and Functional Microbial Genomics, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia)

Abstract

The A to B of C. diff toxins Clostridium difficile infections, often associated with antibiotic therapy, are a rapidly emerging hazard in hospitals worldwide. The bacterium produces two toxins, A and B, and studies with purified toxins have led to the common perception that toxin A is the main cause of pathology. Now a new study, in which bacterial strains lacking each toxin were tested in an animal model, suggests that in fact toxin B is essential for C. difficile virulence, and would be a more promising potential target for therapeutic or preventative measures.

Suggested Citation

  • Dena Lyras & Jennifer R. O’Connor & Pauline M. Howarth & Susan P. Sambol & Glen P. Carter & Tongted Phumoonna & Rachael Poon & Vicki Adams & Gayatri Vedantam & Stuart Johnson & Dale N. Gerding & Julia, 2009. "Toxin B is essential for virulence of Clostridium difficile," Nature, Nature, vol. 458(7242), pages 1176-1179, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:458:y:2009:i:7242:d:10.1038_nature07822
    DOI: 10.1038/nature07822
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