Understanding the epidemiology, transmission and pathology of a 21st-century human and animal pathogen, Clostridium difficile.

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the main cause of infectious diarrhoea in hospitalised patients with ~10% mortality. C. difficile produces highly resistant and infectious spores which promote nosocomial spread in healthcare settings. However, CDI is increasingly reported in community patients with no history of healthcare contact. Recent studies have confirmed transmission of C. difficile “ribotype 078” between pigs and humans in the Netherlands: Ribotype 078 is also the most common strain associated with human disease in N. Ireland, causing 20-30% of cases.

Recent studies in our laboratories have investigated both the molecular epidemiology of C. difficile in humans and animals, and its pathogenesis. This PhD studentship will extend this work and focus on dissecting the mechanisms of survival and infection by C. difficile within the host. The studentship will provide training in state-of-the-art molecular microbiology, genomic and proteomic techniques, with the successful student joining a team of academics from across the University focused on dissecting the biochemistry and genetics of C. difficile infection.


Research aims

This project will:

1) Assess the molecular diversity of C. difficile in both agricultural and clinical samples.
2) Phenotypically characterize a range of C. difficile strains with respect to their growth characteristics, toxin formation, antimicrobial resistance and sporulation patterns.
3) Using both genomics and proteomics dissect the mechanisms of C. difficile infection within the host.