Clostridium difficile, a new zoonotic agent. Characterization and relatedness of C. difficile strains isolated from animals, food and humans in Belgium

Introduction: Clostridium difficile is an anaerobic spore-forming bacterium recognised as a major cause of nosocomial colitis and antibiotic associated diarrhea. Over the past few years, several studies have focused on the possible role of animals and food as contamination routes for human C. difficile infections. Purpose: The aim of this study was to isolate and compare the C. difficile strains circulating in animals, food and humans in Belgium. Methods: Faecal samples of newborn pigs and calves were collected from breeding farms. Intestinal contents and carcasses samples were collected from... Mehr ...