Molecular epidemiology and mechanism of quorum sensing system in C. difficile

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K08949
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 54030:Infectious disease medicine-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: OKUGAW SHU 東京大学, 医学部附属病院, 准教授 (20376461)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: C. difficile / クオラムセンシング / agr / accessory gene regulator

Outline of Final Research Achievements

C. difficile is the causative agent of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Toxins produced by C. difficile are essential virulence to cause enteritis. In recent years, the emergence of hypervirulent strains has become a global problem. In this study, we found that the agr quorum-sensing mechanism that regulates toxin production has genetic diversity.

Free Research Field

医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

高齢化や医療の高度化でC.difficile感染症の再発や重症化は今後も世界的問題になると考えられる。本研究で示されたC. difficileの主たる病原因子である毒素の産生制御機構が遺伝的多様性を有していることは、菌株によって発症要因が異なる可能性を示した点で学術的意義がある。本知見は毒素産生をターゲットとした治療薬開発に貢献する可能性を秘めている。