Prevenção da infecção por Clostridium difficile em hamsters usando uma estirpe não toxigênica

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate five nontoxigenic strains of Clostridium difficile (NTCD) in vitro and to select one strain to prevent C. difficile (CDI) infection in hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). The NTCD strains were evaluated for spore production in vitro, antimicrobial susceptibility and presence of antimicrobial resistance genes. Approximately 107 spores of the selected strain (Z31) were administered by esophageal gavage in hamsters pretreated with 30mg kg-1 of clindamycin. The challenge with a toxigenic strain of C. difficile was conducted at 36 and 72h, and the animals were observed for 28 days. The NTCD strain of C. difficile (Z31) was able to prevent CDI in all animals that received it.