PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
Clostridium perfringens is an opportunistic bacterium that causes intestinal diseases in both humans and animals. This study aimed to assess the frequency of C. perfringens and the presence of toxin-encoding genes in fecal samples from individuals with or without gastrointestinal symptoms in the Department of Boyacá, Colombia. Additionally, risk factors associated with carriage and disease development were analyzed. A total of 114 stool samples were analyzed using a molecular test based on specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting 16S-rRNA and alpha toxin (cpa) genes. For individuals with a positive result for the PCR test, stool samples were cultured on Tryptose Sulfite Cycloserine (TSC) agar. Two to five colonies forming units were selected based on phenotypic characteristics, resulting in 56 bacterial isolates. These isolates were then analyzed for toxin-coding genes associated with gastrointestinal diseases. In addition, sociodemographic and clinical data from 77 individuals were also analyzed. The overall frequency of C. perfringens was 19.3% (n = 22/114). The detection frequency in 77 individuals with clinical data was 16.6% (n = 5/30) among symptomatic individuals and 21.2% (n = 10/47) among asymptomatic individuals. All 56 isolates obtained carried the cpa gene, while cpb2 was present in 10.7% (n = 6/56); cpe and cpb genes were not detected. Notably, diabetes and autoimmune diseases are significantly associated with an increased risk of C. perfringens detection (adjusted OR 8.41: 95% CI 1.32-35.89). This study highlights an elevated frequency of C. perfringens and the presence of the cpb2 gene in asymptomatic individuals compared with their symptomatic counterparts. These findings offer insights into the distribution and virulence factors of C. perfringens at a micro-geographical level. This information supports the need for developing tailored prevention strategies based on local characteristics to promote active surveillance programs based on molecular epidemiology.
摘要：
产气荚膜梭菌是一种机会性细菌，可引起人类和动物的肠道疾病。这项研究旨在评估产气荚膜梭菌的频率以及在Boyacá部门有或没有胃肠道症状的个体的粪便样本中毒素编码基因的存在。哥伦比亚。此外,分析了与携带和疾病发展相关的危险因素。使用基于靶向16S-rRNA和α毒素（cpa）基因的特异性聚合酶链反应（PCR）的分子测试分析了总共114个粪便样品。对于PCR检测结果为阳性的个体，将粪便样品在乳糖亚硫酸环丝氨酸(TSC)琼脂上培养。根据表型特征选择两到五个菌落形成单位，产生56个细菌分离株。然后分析这些分离株的与胃肠疾病相关的毒素编码基因。此外,我们还分析了77例患者的社会人口统计学和临床数据.产气荚膜梭菌的总频率为19.3%(n=22/114)。有临床数据的77例个体中的检测频率在有症状个体中为16.6％（n=5/30），在无症状个体中为21.2％（n=10/47）。获得的所有56个分离株都带有cpa基因，而cpb2在10.7％（n=6/56）中存在；未检测到cpe和cpb基因。值得注意的是,糖尿病和自身免疫性疾病与产气荚膜梭菌检出风险增加显著相关(校正OR8.41:95%CI1.32-35.89).这项研究强调了无症状个体与有症状个体相比，产气荚膜梭菌的频率升高和cpb2基因的存在。这些发现提供了在微观地理水平上对产气荚膜梭菌的分布和毒力因子的见解。这些信息支持需要根据当地特点制定量身定制的预防策略，以促进基于分子流行病学的积极监测计划。
