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@ARTICLE{LorenzoDiaz:281437,
author = {Lorenzo-Diaz, Fabian and Klassert, Tilman E and
Zubiria-Barrera, Cristina and Keles, Amelya and
Gonzalez-Carracedo, Mario and Hernandez, Mariano and
Slevogt, Hortense and Grünewald, Thomas},
title = {{C}lostridioides difficile evolution in a tertiary {G}erman
hospital through a retrospective genomic characterization.},
journal = {Infection},
volume = {53},
number = {5},
issn = {0300-8126},
address = {München},
publisher = {Urban $\&$ Vogel},
reportid = {DZNE-2025-01122},
pages = {2209 - 2218},
year = {2025},
abstract = {Clostridioides difficile is a major cause of
healthcare-associated infections, contributing to
significant morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to
investigate the genomic characteristics, antimicrobial
resistance (AMR) profiles, and temporal dynamics of C.
difficile strains isolated from hospitalized patients in a
German tertiary hospital over nearly two decades
(1997-2015).Whole-genome sequencing was performed on 46
toxigenic C. difficile isolates to determine sequence types
(STs) and phylogenetic relationships and these were compared
to national surveillance data on C. dificile. AMR profiling
was conducted to identify key resistance determinants at
genetic level while epsilometer minimum inhibitory
concentration (MIC) analyses were used to correlate genetic
resistance markers with phenotypic resistance. Longitudinal
antibiotic usage data were analysed to assess potential
associations with resistance profiles and strains
evolution.Five predominant STs were identified: ST1
$(30\%),$ ST54 $(24\%),$ ST3 $(22\%),$ ST11 $(11\%),$ and
ST37 $(4\%).$ Phylogenetic analysis showed that ST1
(ribotype 027) emerged as the dominant and persistent
lineage, replacing ST11 and ST54 over time. AMR profiling
detected several resistance genetic markers such as
CDD-1/CDD-2 (carbapenem resistance), ErmB
(macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B resistance/MLS
resistance), and mutations in gyrA (fluoroquinolone
resistance) and rpoB (rifampicin resistance). MIC analyses
confirmed high resistance rates to moxifloxacin $(87\%)$ and
rifampicin $(59\%),$ while susceptibility to fidaxomicin,
metronidazole, and vancomycin remained. The tetM gene,
associated with doxycycline resistance, declined as ST11 and
ST54 frequencies decreased. Longitudinal analysis revealed a
reduction in moxifloxacin resistance following its decreased
use, whereas increased doxycycline use paradoxically
correlated with reduced resistance.This study highlights the
dynamic strain evolution of C. difficile, reflecting
national trends in strain evolution. The findings emphasize
the strong correlation between epsilometer MIC values and
molecular resistance markers. This observation reinforces
the integration of genetic surveillance with antibiotic
stewardship in the clinical routine to effectively mitigate
CDI recurrence. Further research is needed to better
understand the complex interactions between antibiotic
exposure and strain evolution in hospital environments.},
keywords = {Clostridioides difficile: genetics / Clostridioides
difficile: drug effects / Clostridioides difficile:
classification / Clostridioides difficile: isolation $\&$
purification / Tertiary Care Centers / Humans / Germany:
epidemiology / Clostridium Infections: microbiology /
Clostridium Infections: epidemiology / Anti-Bacterial
Agents: pharmacology / Retrospective Studies / Microbial
Sensitivity Tests / Phylogeny / Whole Genome Sequencing /
Cross Infection: microbiology / Cross Infection:
epidemiology / Drug Resistance, Bacterial: genetics /
Evolution, Molecular / Genome, Bacterial / Male / Female /
Antibiotic resistance genes (Other) / CDI (Other) /
Clostridioides difficile (Other) / PaLoc (Other) / WGS
(Other) / Anti-Bacterial Agents (NLM Chemicals)},
cin = {AG Prüß},
ddc = {610},
cid = {I:(DE-2719)1810003},
pnm = {353 - Clinical and Health Care Research (POF4-353)},
pid = {G:(DE-HGF)POF4-353},
typ = {PUB:(DE-HGF)16},
pubmed = {pmid:40483626},
doi = {10.1007/s15010-025-02576-y},
url = {https://pub.dzne.de/record/281437},
}