Using Gel Electrophoresis to Identify Toxigenic Clostridioides difficile Strains
Author Information
Author(s): Bogiel Tomasz, Kwiecińska Patrycja, Górniak Robert, Kanarek Piotr, Mikucka Agnieszka
Primary Institution: Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Hypothesis
The study aims to assess the suitability of agarose gel electrophoresis for separating multiplex PCR amplicons to investigate the toxinogenic potential of C. difficile strains.
Conclusion
The multiplex PCR method combined with agarose gel electrophoresis is effective for quickly and accurately identifying hypervirulent C. difficile strains.
Supporting Evidence
- 85.9% of C. difficile strains tested were found to have the tcdA gene.
- 66.7% of strains tested were positive for the tcdB gene.
- 31.3% of strains possessed the cdtB gene.
- 20.2% of isolates were identified as hypervirulent strains.
Takeaway
This study shows that scientists can use a special test to find out if harmful bacteria are making toxins that can make people sick.
Methodology
The study used multiplex PCR to detect toxin genes in C. difficile strains, followed by agarose gel electrophoresis for separation and visualization of the PCR products.
Limitations
Some strains did not yield reliable results for the tcdA gene, necessitating the use of real-time PCR for confirmation.
Participant Demographics
Clinical strains collected from patients hospitalized at Dr. Antoni Jurasz University Hospital in Bydgoszcz, Poland.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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