title: Clostridium difficile colitis: pathogenesis and host defence.
abstract: Clostridium difficile is a major cause of intestinal infection and diarrhoea in individuals following antibiotic treatment. Recent studies have begun to elucidate the mechanisms that induce spore formation and germination and have determined the roles of C. difficile toxins in disease pathogenesis. Exciting progress has also been made in defining the role of the microbiome, specific commensal bacterial species and host immunity in defence against infection with C. difficile. This Review will summarize the recent discoveries and developments in our understanding of C. difficile infection and pathogenesis.
authors: Immunology Program, Lucille Castori Center for Microbes, Inflammation and Cancer, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USA.
authors: Michael C
authors: MC
authors: Abt
authors: Immunology Program, Lucille Castori Center for Microbes, Inflammation and Cancer, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USA.
authors: Peter T
authors: PT
authors: McKenney
authors: Immunology Program, Lucille Castori Center for Microbes, Inflammation and Cancer, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USA.
authors: Eric G
authors: EG
authors: Pamer
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000378:metabolism; D001647:Bile Acids and Salts / Q000378:metabolism; D016360:Clostridioides difficile / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology; D003092:Colitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D000069467:Fecal Microbiota Transplantation; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D064307:Microbiota / Q000502:physiology*; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D001647:Bile Acids and Salts; D037521:Virulence Factors