Clostridium difficile PCR ribotypes in calves, Canada.
We investigated Clostridium difficile in calves and the similarity between bovine and human C. difficile PCR ribotypes by conducting a case-control study of calves from 102 dairy farms in Canada. Fecal samples from 144 calves with diarrhea and 134 control calves were cultured for C. difficile and tested with an ELISA for C. difficile toxins A and B. C. difficile was isolated from 31 of 278 calves: 11 (7.6%) of 144 with diarrhea and 20 (14.9%) of 134 controls (p = 0.009). Toxins were detected in calf feces from 58 (56.8%) of 102 farms, 57 (39.6%) of 144 calves with diarrhea, and 28 (20.9%) of 134 controls (p = 0.0002). PCR ribotyping of 31 isolates showed 8 distinct patterns; 7 have been identified in humans, 2 of which have been associated with outbreaks of severe disease (PCR types 017 and 027). C. difficile may be associated with calf diarrhea, and cattle may be reservoirs of C. difficile for humans.
Rodriguez-Palacios
Alexander
A
Department of Clinical Studies, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. arodrigu@uoguelph.ca
Stämpfli
Henry R
HR
Duffield
Todd
T
Peregrine
Andrew S
AS
Trotz-Williams
Lise A
LA
Arroyo
Luis G
LG
Brazier
Jon S
JS
Weese
J Scott
JS
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000382:microbiology*; D016360:Clostridioides difficile / Q000145:classification* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D024841:Fluoroquinolones / Q000494:pharmacology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D021521:Ribotyping / Q000379:methods*
D024841:Fluoroquinolones