Investigating molecular mechanisms of Clostridium difficile colonisation

Clostridium difficile remains aetiological agent for antibiotic-associated diarrhoea (AAD) within the UK, with 13,268 reported cases of C. difficile Infection (CDI) between April 2017 and March 2018. The majority of reported cases result from nosocomial infections; however, the proportion of community-acquired infection is on the rise. Animals of agricultural importance such as bovine and swine are hypothesised to act as reservoirs for a few ribotypes capable of inter-species transmission. Also, C. difficile is a leading cause of diarrhoea in piglets in many parts of the world. The mechanisms and interaction involved in the colonisation of the gastrointestinal tract is still poorly understood, thus this project aims to define genes important for the early stages of infection using sequencing-based technologies. Identification and functional analysis of proteins critical to C. difficile colonisation will enhance our understanding of C. difficile pathogenesis and lead to effective interventions for CDI.