Prevalence of Clostridium difficile toxin genes in Pretoria
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Date
Authors
Storm, Nadia
Kock, Marleen M.
Kruger, M.D.
Ehlers, Marthie Magdaleen
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Federation of Infectious Diseases Societies of South Africa
Abstract
The hypervirulent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) ribotype 027 strain of Clostridium difficile produces toxins A, B and a binary
toxin. Toxin detection kits are commonly used in diagnostic laboratories, but have been unsuccessful in detecting all of the
relevant C. difficile strains, and the toxins produced. In this study, conventional PCR was used to detect the presence of the genes
of toxin A, toxin B and the binary toxin of C. difficile. Eighty-four frozen (collected between 2006-2007) and 13 fresh (collected in
2010) stool specimens, obtained in Pretoria, were analysed. The genes for toxin A, toxin B and the binary toxin were detected in
one of the fresh stool specimens. This may have implications for healthcare facilities, and suggests the possible emergence of
the highly virulent PCR ribotype 027 strain of C. difficile in Pretoria. This emphasises the importance of continuous surveillance
and monitoring of C. difficile outbreaks.
Description
Keywords
Clostridium difficile, Toxin A, Toxin B, Binary toxin, Conventional PCR
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Storm, N, Kock, MM, Kruger, MD & Ehlers, MM 2012, 'Prevalence of Clostridium difficile toxin genes in Pretoria', Southern African Journal of Epidemiology & Infection, vol. 27 no. 4 pp. 164-168.