A genomic survey of isolates from hospitalized patients in Melbourne, Australia.

There has been a decrease in healthcare-associated infection in Australia, but an increase in the genetic diversity of infecting strains, and an increase in community-associated cases. Here, we studied the genetic relatedness of isolated from patients at a major hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Diverse ribotypes were detected, including those associated with community and environmental sources.

Identification of large cryptic plasmids in Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile.

Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile is a major bacterial pathogen of both humans and animals. Several species of pathogenic clostridia are known to harbour large plasmids with combinations of virulence, antibiotic resistance and metabolism determinants. Small cryptic plasmids have been previously identified in C.

Disruption of the Gut Microbiome: Clostridium difficile Infection and the Threat of Antibiotic Resistance.

Clostridium difficile is well recognized as the leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, having a significant impact in both health-care and community settings. Central to predisposition to C. difficile infection is disruption of the gut microbiome by antibiotics.

Extrachromosomal and integrated genetic elements in Clostridium difficile.

Clostridium difficile is a major nosocomial pathogen, causing gastrointestinal disease in patients undergoing antibiotic therapy. This bacterium contains many extrachromosomal and integrated genetic elements, with recent genomic work giving new insights into their variability and distribution. This review summarises research conducted in this area over the last 30 years and includes a discussion on the functional contributions of these elements to host cell phenotypes, as well as encompassing recent genome sequencing studies that have contributed to our understanding of their evolution and dissemination.