Some members of the Firmicutes phylum, including many members of the human gut microbiota, are able to differentiate a dormant and highly resistant cell type, the endospore (hereinafter spore for simplicity). Spore-formers can colonize virtually any habitat and, because of their resistance to a wide variety of physical and chemical insults, spores can remain viable in the environment for long periods of time. In the anaerobic enteric pathogen Clostridioides difficile the aetiologic agent is the oxygen-resistant spore, while the toxins produced by actively growing cells are the main cause of the disease symptoms. Here, we review the regulatory circuits that govern entry into sporulation. We also cover the role of spores in the infectious cycle of C. difficile in relation to spore structure and function and the main control points along spore morphogenesis.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-42108-2_13 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Can Gut Microbiota Analysis Reveal Infection? Evidence from an Italian Cohort at Disease Onset.
Microorganisms
December 2024
Department of Laboratory and Infectious Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy.
A diverse and well-functioning gut microbiota normally serves as a protective shield against the invasion of harmful bacteria or the proliferation of opportunistic pathogens. infection (CDI) is predominantly associated with the overuse of antibiotics, resulting in a significant alteration in the gut's microbial balance. Unfortunately, the lack of global standardization does not allow for the identification of a set of biomarkers associated with the onset and progression of this disease.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMetronidazole and Vancomycin Have a Synergic Effect, with Plant Extracts as Helpful Tools to Combat Infections.
Antibiotics (Basel)
January 2025
Investigadora e Investigadores por México, Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencia y Tecnología, Mexico City 03940, Mexico.
The prolonged use of antibiotics is closely related to increased infections caused by (Cdiff). Plant-origin compounds have been expanding in recent years as the best opportunity to identify new synergic therapies to combat antibiotic-associated diseases. Mexico has incredible plant biodiversity; natural compounds with antibacterial properties are an alternative treatment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA Review of Therapies for Infection.
Antibiotics (Basel)
December 2024
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
is an urgent public health threat that affects approximately half a million patients annually in the United States. Despite concerted efforts aimed at the prevention of infection (CDI), it remains a leading cause of healthcare-associated infections. CDI is associated with significant clinical, social, and economic burdens.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInflammatory Markers and Severity in COVID-19 Patients with Clostridioides Difficile Co-Infection: A Retrospective Analysis Including Subgroups with Diabetes, Cancer, and Elderly.
Biomedicines
January 2025
Department I, Discipline of Anatomy and Embryology, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.
Background And Objectives: The interplay of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and infection (CDI) poses a critical clinical challenge. The resultant inflammatory milieu and its impact on outcomes remain incompletely understood, especially among vulnerable subgroups such as elderly patients, those with diabetes, and individuals with cancer. This study aimed to characterize inflammatory markers and composite inflammatory severity scores-such as Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II), Confusion, Urea, Respiratory rate, Blood pressure, and age ≥ 65 years (CURB-65), National Early Warning Score (NEWS), and the Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII)-in hospitalized Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with and without CDI, and to evaluate their prognostic implications across key clinical subgroups.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEvaluation of Inflammatory Markers and Clinical Outcomes in COVID-19 Patients with Concurrent Infection: A Comparative Cohort Analysis.
Biomedicines
January 2025
Department of Functional Sciences, Physiology, Centre of Imuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies (CIFBIOTEH), "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.
Background And Objectives: Co-infection with () in COVID-19 patients has emerged as a clinical challenge associated with increased morbidity and mortality. While both infections elicit systemic inflammation, the interplay between inflammatory markers, disease severity, and outcomes in patients with COVID-19 and concurrent infection remains poorly characterized. This study aimed to evaluate the inflammatory status and clinical outcomes of patients hospitalized with COVID-19, with and without co-infection, and to identify the inflammatory markers most predictive of severe disease.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!