title: Inactivation of Clostridium difficile spore outgrowth by synergistic effects of nisin and lysozyme.
abstract: Inactivating Clostridium difficile spores is difficult, as they are resistant to heat, chemicals, and antimicrobials. However, this note describes inactivation of C. difficile spore outgrowth by incubation in a solution containing a germinant (1% (m/v) sodium taurocholate), co-germinants (1% (m/v) tryptose and 1% (m/v) NaCl), and natural antimicrobials (20 nmol·L-1nisin and 0.2 mmol·L-1lysozyme). Clostridium difficile spores were resistant to nisin and lysozyme but became susceptible during germination and outgrowth triggered and promoted by sodium taurocholate, tryptose, and NaCl. The degree of inactivation of germinated and outgrowing C. difficile spores by both nisin and lysozyme was greater than the sum of that by nisin and lysozyme individually, suggesting synergistic inactivation of C. difficile spores. The germinant, co-germinants, and natural antimicrobials used in this study are safe for human contact and consumption. Therefore, these findings will facilitate the development of a safe and effective method to inactivate C. difficile spore.
authors.affiliation: a Division of Applied Animal Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Changhoon
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chai
authors.affiliation: b Department of Food and Nutrition, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung-Soo
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: b Department of Food and Nutrition, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Goo-Sang
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Imm
authors.affiliation: c Department of Food and Nutrition, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Young Soon
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: b Department of Food and Nutrition, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Se-Wook
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Oh
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016360:Clostridioides difficile / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D009113:Muramidase / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009561:Nisin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects; D013656:Taurocholic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D009561:Nisin; D013656:Taurocholic Acid; D009113:Muramidase
keywords: Clostridium difficile; inactivation synergique; lysozyme; nisin; nisine; spore; synergistic inactivation