Research shows how antibiotics affect C. diff spores
Infection Control Weekly Monitor, July 22, 2009
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Researchers at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in the UK found that antibiotic treatment could induce the transmission of C.diff in patients without visible symptoms.
A team of scientists generated a “mouse hospital,” which mimicked a human environment where C.diff is transmitted, according to a press release. When the scientists treated the mice with antibiotics they saw a dramatic rise in the level of spores shed, indicating that transmission could occur even without clinical symptoms, says Dr. Trevor Lawley, the lead author on the study.
Researchers termed this rise in shedding as “supershedder state.” Supershedders pose a significant threat because of environmental contamination, leading to infection of otherwise healthy mice.
Scientists treated mice with short and long courses of antibiotics and found that under long term exposure to antibiotics some mice remained in their “supershedder” state for weeks after treatment had ended.
We should consider that patients still pose a considerable transmission threat some weeks after treatment is terminated even if they have not exhibited signs of C. difficile disease,” Professor Gordon Dougan, head of pathogen genetics at Sanger Institute and senior author on the study said in the press release.
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