Association of Targeted metagenomic analysis and classical microbiology for Clostridium difficile detection and microbial ecosystem mapping of surfaces hands and foodstuffs in a meat processing plant

INTRODUCTION

Zoonoses are infectious that can be transmitted between animals and humans through direct contact, close proximity or the environment. Since domestic and food animals frequently test positive for the bacterium, it seems plausible that C. difficile could be zoonotic.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and the epidemiology of C. difficile in cattle farms and the possible spread of the bacterium among animals and farmers.

METHODS

A total of 176 faecal samples of cattle were collected from 5 different Belgian farms. A stool sample of each farmer was also requested. Detection of C. difficile was performed by classical culture on C. difficile selective medium (cycloserine cefoxitin fructose cholate). Isolates were characterised by PCR-ribotyping and Genotype Cdiff test (Hain Lifescience), which allows the detection of all toxin genes, mutations in gyrA gene and the deletion in the regulator gene tcdC.

RESULTS

C. difficile was detected in 14/178 (7.9%) animal samples. Isolates were grouped into five different types, including PCR-ribotype 015. All of them were identified as toxigenic. In contrast, none of the 5 farmers studied were positive for the bacterium.

SIGNIFICANCE

Results obtained indicate that PCR-ribotypes commonly isolated from hospitalised patients are also present in cattle, indicating an animal reservoir. However, a zoonotic transmission could be not demonstrated in the farms studied.