BACKGROUND The proximity ligation assay (PLA) detects proteins via their interaction with pairs of proximity probes, which are antibodies coupled to noncomplementary DNA oligonucleotides. The binding of both proximity probes to their epitopes on the target protein brings the oligonucleotides together, allowing them to be bridged by a third oligonucleotide with complementarity to the other two. ...

Clostridium difficile is a leading cause of nosocomial infection in North America and a considerable challenge to healthcare professionals in hospitals and nursing homes. The gram-positive bacterium produces two high molecular weight exotoxins, toxin A (TcdA) and toxin B (TcdB), which are the major virulence factors responsible for C. difficile-associated disease and are targets for C. difficil...

Clostridium perfringens TpeL belongs to a family of large clostridial cytotoxins that encompasses Clostridium difficile toxin A (TcdA) and B (TcdB) and Clostridium sordellii lethal toxin (TcsL). We report here the identification of the TpeL-catalyzed modification of small GTPases. A recombinant protein (TpeL1-525) derived from the TpeL N-terminal catalytic domain in the presence of streptolysin...

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a worldwide health threat that is typically triggered by the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, which disrupt the natural gut microbiota and allow this Gram-positive anaerobic pathogen to thrive. The increased incidence and severity of disease coupled with decreased response, high recurrence rates, and emergence of multiple antibiotic-resistant strains h...

In this prospective cohort study, we investigated the prevalence of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) in adult patients with nosocomial diarrhea by performing enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for detecting toxins A and B and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detecting the presence of the tcdB gene in stool samples. We determined the factors associated with CDAD, and the treatment o...

Species of Clostridium are widely distributed in the environment, inhabiting both human and animal gastrointestinal tracts. Clostridium difficile is an important pathogen associated with outbreaks of pseudomembranous colitis and other intestinal disorders, such as diarrhea. In this study, the prevalence of Clostridium spp. and C. difficile, from hospitalized children with acute diarrhea, was ex...

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) results in toxin-induced epithelial injury and marked intestinal inflammation. Fecal markers of intestinal inflammation correlate with CDI disease severity, but regulation of the inflammatory response is poorly understood. Previous studies demonstrated that C. difficile toxin TcdA activates p38 kinase in tissue culture cells and mouse ilium, resulting in in...

A novel molecular assay for Clostridium difficile was developed using Linear-After-The-Exponential polymerase chain reaction (LATE-PCR). Single-stranded DNA products generated by LATE-PCR were detected and distinguished by hybridization to fluorescent mismatch-tolerant probes, as the temperature was lowered after amplification in 5(°)C intervals between 65°C and 25°C. Single-tube multiplex reac...

INTRODUCTION We investigated the changing trend of various toxigenic Clostridium difficile isolates at a 3 500-bed hospital in Taiwan. Genetic relatedness and antimicrobial susceptibility of toxigenic C. difficile isolates were also examined. METHODS A total of 110 non-repeat toxigenic C. difficile isolates from different patients were collected between 2002 and 2007. Characterization of the ...