Gene

Pore-forming toxin

Immunology

Colitis

Toxin

Antitoxin

Fulminant

Clostridioides

Clostridium difficile

Antibiotics

Biochemistry

Virulence

Biology

Microbiology

Microbial toxins

Clostridium difficile toxin A

Nature Reviews Microbiology

Clostridioides difficile is a Gram-positive anaerobe that can cause a spectrum of disorders that range in severity from mild diarrhoea to fulminant colitis and/or death. The bacterium produces up to three toxins, which are considered the major virulence factors in C. difficile infection. These toxins promote inflammation, tissue damage and diarrhoea. In this Review, we highlight recent biochemical and structural advances in our understanding of the mechanisms that govern host-toxin interactions. Understanding how C. difficile toxins affect the host forms a foundation for developing novel strategies for treatment and prevention of C. difficile infection.

Clostridioides difficile toxins: mechanisms of action and antitoxin therapeutics