Use of Bacillus subtilis PXN21 spores for suppression of Clostridium difficile infection symptoms in a murine model. Issue 2 (29th May 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Colenutt, Claire; Cutting, Simon M.
• Is Part Of: FEMS microbiology letters. Volume 358:Issue 2(2014:Sep.)
• Page Start: 154
• Page End: 161
• Publication Date: 2014-05-29
• Subjects: Microbiology -- Periodicals; 579
• DOI: 10.1111/1574-6968.12468
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0378-1097

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="fml12468-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Clostridium difficile is the primary cause of nosocomial diarrhoea in healthcare centres of the developed world. Only a few antibiotics are available for treatment, and relapses are common in patients undergoing antibiotic therapy. New approaches are required to reduce reliance on antibiotics, the use of which represents a primary risk factor for development of <italic>C. difficile</italic> infections. Supplementation of the gut flora with probiotics represents a key area for producing more successful treatment options for <italic>C. difficile</italic> infection (CDI). In this study, spores of <italic>B. subtilis</italic> have been evaluated as a potential probiotic treatment against CDI. Using a murine model of infection, we demonstrate that oral administration of <italic>B. subtilis</italic> spores can attenuate the symptoms of infection. We further show that (1) suppression of symptoms was better if spores were administered post infection, and (2) germination of the spore to a vegetative cell may be an integral part of how CDI is suppressed. The results of this study highlight the potential of this bacterium as a probiotic treatment for CDI.</p> </abstract>