Abstract

Clostridioides difficile is a Gram-positive, spore-forming, rod-shaped, obligate anaerobe that is the leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Type IV pili (T4P) are elongated appendages on the surface of C. difficile that are polymerized from many pilin proteins. T4P play an important role in C. difficile adherence and particularly in its persistence in the host intestine. Recent studies have shown that T4P promote C. difficile aggregation, surface motility, and biofilm formation, which may enhance its pathogenicity. Additionally, the second messenger cyclic diguanylate increases pilA1 transcript abundance, indirectly promoting T4P-mediated aggregation, surface motility, and biofilm formation of C. difficile. This review summarizes recent advances in C. difficile T4P research and the physiological activities of T4P in the context of C. difficile pathogenesis.

摘要

艰难梭菌是一种革兰氏阳性、形成孢子、杆状、专性厌氧菌，是抗生素相关性腹泻的主要原因。IV 型菌毛 (T4P) 是艰难梭菌表面的细长附属物，由许多菌毛蛋白聚合而成。T4P 在艰难梭菌粘附中发挥重要作用，特别是在其在宿主肠道中的持久存在中。最近的研究表明，T4P 促进艰难梭菌聚集、表面运动和生物膜形成，这可能增强其致病性。此外，第二信使环二鸟苷酸增加pilA1转录物丰度，间接促进 T4P 介导的聚集、表面运动和生物膜形成艰难梭菌。本综述总结了艰难梭菌 T4P 研究的最新进展以及 T4P 在艰难梭菌发病机制中的生理活性。