About this Research Topic
Clostridioides difficile, a Gram-positive, anaerobic, spore-forming bacillus, has emerged as a predominant pathogen, causing antimicrobial-associated diarrhea in healthcare settings. In 2019, the US reported 223,900 Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) cases and 12,800 deaths. The epidemiology of C. difficile has recently shifted, marked by the global dissemination of hypervirulent strains like ribotype (RT) 027 and RT078 from North America and Europe. Significantly, community-acquired CDI is on the rise, making up 30% of all CDI cases, affecting individuals without conventional risk factors. This evolving scenario necessitates a deeper exploration of infection sources. Shared identical genotypes of C. difficile between humans and animals raises concerns regarding potential correlations with zoonotic and foodborne diseases. Whole-genome sequencing data indicate that certain strains, such as RT027 and RT078, exhibit the potential for interspecies clonal transmission. Compounded the issue is the global prevalence of inadequate regulation of antimicrobial use and inappropriate prescriptions, aggravated by the misuse of antimicrobials in livestock farming. Lots of drugs and vaccines for CDI have been widely investigated including traditional antibiotics and new small-molecule candidates during the past two decades. In light of these challenges, there is a pressing need for further research to comprehensively understand the epidemiological characteristics of CDI and promptly explore new strategies for the prevention and treatment of CDI.
In this research theme, our goal is to elucidate the molecular epidemiological characteristics of CDI in different regions and among diverse patient populations and present new advances in the treatment of CDI including drugs and vaccines. We are committed to portraying the transmission chains of C. difficile from a “One Health” perspective, considering its interactions among humans, animals, and the environment. Simultaneously, we will also focus on developing CDI vaccines and drugs, exploring and evaluating candidates and their immunogenicity. Furthermore, we advocate for research into rapid diagnostic methods and novel therapeutic approaches. Through these studies, our objective is to deepen the comprehensive understanding of CDI and further explore new strategies for CDI treatment.
We welcome the submission of Original Research, Methods, Perspectives, Review, or Mini-Reviews encompassing a broad spectrum of topics related to CDI. The scope of this research theme includes, but is not limited to:
- Molecular epidemiology of CDI
- CDI from “One Health” perspective
- Zoonotic potential in CDI
- Drug and vaccine candidates against CDI
- Immunogenicity and efficacy of CDI vaccines and drugs
- Rapid diagnostic methods for CDI
- Novel therapeutic methods for the treatment of CDI
Authors are encouraged to contribute insights across these diverse areas, fostering a comprehensive understanding of CDI and advancing research in the field.
In this research theme, our goal is to elucidate the molecular epidemiological characteristics of CDI in different regions and among diverse patient populations and present new advances in the treatment of CDI including drugs and vaccines. We are committed to portraying the transmission chains of C. difficile from a “One Health” perspective, considering its interactions among humans, animals, and the environment. Simultaneously, we will also focus on developing CDI vaccines and drugs, exploring and evaluating candidates and their immunogenicity. Furthermore, we advocate for research into rapid diagnostic methods and novel therapeutic approaches. Through these studies, our objective is to deepen the comprehensive understanding of CDI and further explore new strategies for CDI treatment.
We welcome the submission of Original Research, Methods, Perspectives, Review, or Mini-Reviews encompassing a broad spectrum of topics related to CDI. The scope of this research theme includes, but is not limited to:
- Molecular epidemiology of CDI
- CDI from “One Health” perspective
- Zoonotic potential in CDI
- Drug and vaccine candidates against CDI
- Immunogenicity and efficacy of CDI vaccines and drugs
- Rapid diagnostic methods for CDI
- Novel therapeutic methods for the treatment of CDI
Authors are encouraged to contribute insights across these diverse areas, fostering a comprehensive understanding of CDI and advancing research in the field.
Keywords: CDI, diagnosis, treatment, epidemiology, one health
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
