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Clostridium difficile pp 117–128Cite as

Isolating and Purifying Clostridium difficile Spores

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Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1476))

Abstract

The ability for the obligate anaerobe, Clostridium difficile to form a metabolically dormant spore is critical for the survival of this organism outside of the host. This spore form is resistant to a myriad of environmental stresses, including heat, desiccation, and exposure to disinfectants and antimicrobials. These intrinsic properties of spores allow C. difficile to survive long-term in an oxygenated environment, to be easily transmitted from host-to-host, and to persist within the host following antibiotic treatment. Because of the importance of the spore form to the C. difficile life cycle and treatment and prevention of C. difficile infection (CDI), the isolation and purification of spores are necessary to study the mechanisms of sporulation and germination, investigate spore properties and resistances, and for use in animal models of CDI. Here we provide basic protocols, in vitro growth conditions, and additional considerations for purifying C. difficile spores for a variety of downstream applications.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    Adrianne N. Edwards & Shonna M. McBride

Authors
  1. Adrianne N. Edwards
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  2. Shonna M. McBride
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Correspondence to Shonna M. McBride .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbial Diseases, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom

    Adam P. Roberts

  2. Department of Microbial Diseases, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom

    Peter Mullany

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Edwards, A.N., McBride, S.M. (2016). Isolating and Purifying Clostridium difficile Spores. In: Roberts, A., Mullany, P. (eds) Clostridium difficile. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1476. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6361-4_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6361-4_9

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-6359-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-6361-4

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