Longitudinal study of Clostridium difficile shedding in raccoons on swine farms and conservation areas in Ontario, Canada

• DOI: 10.1186/s12917-015-0563-x
• Publication Date: 2015-10-07T14:27:15Z
• Authors: Kristin J. Bondo; J. Scott Weese; Joyce Rouseau; Claire M. Jardine
• Keywords: Ribotyping

Clostridium difficile is an important enteropathogen affecting humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. The objectives of this study were to 1) compare the prevalence characteristics C. isolated from feces raccoons trapped on swine farms conservation sites, 2) investigate role as potential reservoirs for host-adapted strains using a longitudinal study. Fecal swabs collected at 5 sites farms, once every five weeks, May November, 2012. was 9 % (38/444) samples, 12 (37/302) raccoons, all 10 sites. A total 19 different ribotypes identified, including that matched recognized international designations which are also found in humans (001, 014, 056, 078, 103). Location type (farm or area) not associated with status (P = 0.448) but only 3 (014, 078) both location types. ribotype 078 significantly higher (4 %; 9/220) compared (1 2/225) 0.034). Only one 108 caught multiple sessions positive more than occasion. We no evidence support hypothesis harbour difficile; rather, it appears transiently acquire environment. Raccoons unlikely be maintaining difficile, because we detected have cause illness livestock, can move relatively large distances, they may play dissemination pathogenic throughout