Comparative genomics analysis of Clostridium difficile epidemic strain DH/NAP11/106 Journal Article


Authors: Kociolek, L. K.; Gerding, D. N.; Hecht, D. W.; Ozer, E. A.
Article Title: Comparative genomics analysis of Clostridium difficile epidemic strain DH/NAP11/106
Abstract: Clostridium difficile PCR ribotype 106 (also identified as restriction endonuclease analysis [REA] group DH) recently emerged as the most common strain causing C. difficile infection (CDI) among US adults. We previously identified this strain predominating our pediatric cohort. Pediatric clinical CDI isolates previously characterized by REA underwent antibiotic resistance testing and whole genome sequencing. Of 134 isolates collected from children, 31 (23%) were REA group DH. We performed a comparative genomics analysis to identify DH-associated accessory genes. We identified five DH-associated genes that are associated with virulence in other bacterial species but not previously known to contribute to CDI. These genes are associated with intestinal mucosal adhesion (collagen-binding surface protein), sporulation (sporulation integral membrane protein YtvI), and protection from oxidative stress and foreign DNA (DNA phosphorothioation-dependent restriction proteins, sulfurtransferase, and DNA sulfur modification proteins). The association of these genes was validated in a cohort of 623 publicly available C. difficile sequences, 10 (1.6%) of which were monophyletic to REA group DH through in silico multilocus sequence typing and core genome phylogenetic analysis. Further investigation is required to determine the contribution of these genes to the emergence and virulence of this epidemic strain.
Journal Title: Microbes and Infection
Volume: 20
Issue: 4
ISSN: 1769-714X; 1286-4579
Publisher: Institut Pasteur. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved  
Journal Place: France
Date Published: 2018
Start Page: 245
End Page: 253
Language: eng
DOI/URL:
Notes: LR: 20180425; CI: Copyright (c) 2018; GR: K23 AI123525/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States; GR: UL1 TR001422/TR/NCATS NIH HHS/United States; JID: 100883508; NIHMS935597; OTO: NOTNLM; PMCR: 2019/04/01 00:00; 2017/11/16 00:00 [received]; 2018/01/06 00:00 [revised]; 2018/01/08 00:00 [accepted]; 2019/04/01 00:00 [pmc-release]; 2018/02/03 06:00 [pubmed]; 2018/02/03 06:00 [medline]; 2018/02/03 06:00 [entrez]; ppublish