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The molecular pathogenesis of Clostridium difficile-associated disease

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Abstract

Clostridium difficile-associated disease is a reemerging nosocomial disease of paramount importance not only in the United States, but most of the world as well. Recently, C. difficile-associated disease appears to be on the rise, with a parallel increase noted in its severity and extent. Although the main virulence factors, the large exotoxins known as toxin A and toxin B, have long been identified, only in the past few years has a near explosion of new information regarding the details of the toxin-mediated pathogenicity come to light. This update gives an overview of some of the more exciting and insightful reports published in the recent literature.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, Case School of Medicine, University Hospital-Case Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA

    David A. Bobak

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  1. David A. Bobak
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Bobak, D.A. The molecular pathogenesis of Clostridium difficile-associated disease. Curr Infect Dis Rep 10, 111–115 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-008-0020-0

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