Isolation and characterization of Clostridium difficile from pet dogs in Assam, India

Anaerobe. 2015 Dec:36:9-13. doi: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2015.09.006. Epub 2015 Sep 21.

Abstract

One hundred and seventeen faecal samples from pet dogs (pup = 21 and adult = 96) brought for treatment to a veterinary clinic were examined for Clostridium difficile. A total of 16 (13.67%) samples were positive. Nine (56.25%) isolates were obtained from 17 adult dogs undergoing antibiotic treatment and this was significantly higher (p < 0.01) as compared to isolates from dogs without antibiotic treatment. Ten isolates (62.5%) were toxigenic (all toxinotype 0) and six were non-toxigenic. None of the isolates were positive for binary toxin genes. PCR ribotyping revealed three different ribotypes (012, 014 and 046) among A(+)B(+) isolates and five different ribotypes (010, SLO 131, and ACD 001 to ACD 003) among A(-)B(-) isolates. The PFGE analysis of toxigenic isolates revealed three different pulsotypes corresponding to the PCR ribotypes.

Keywords: Animals; Clostridium difficile; Dog; PFGE; Ribotyping; Toxins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Clostridioides difficile / classification
  • Clostridioides difficile / drug effects
  • Clostridioides difficile / genetics
  • Clostridioides difficile / isolation & purification*
  • Dogs
  • Feces / microbiology*
  • Female
  • India
  • Male
  • Pets / microbiology*
  • Phylogeny

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents