<i>Clostridioides difficile</i> in Animal Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A One Health Perspective on Emerging Zoonotic Threats

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in animals, a multifactorial gastrointestinal disorder marked by chronic inflammation, has increasingly been linked to <i>Clostridioides difficile</i> infections. Recognized for its pathogenic role in human pseudomembranous colitis, <i>C. difficile&...

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Main Authors: Felipe Masiero Salvarani, Hanna Gabriela da Silva Oliveira, Francisco Alejandro Uzal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Microorganisms
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/6/1233
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author Felipe Masiero Salvarani
Hanna Gabriela da Silva Oliveira
Francisco Alejandro Uzal
author_facet Felipe Masiero Salvarani
Hanna Gabriela da Silva Oliveira
Francisco Alejandro Uzal
author_sort Felipe Masiero Salvarani
collection DOAJ
description Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in animals, a multifactorial gastrointestinal disorder marked by chronic inflammation, has increasingly been linked to <i>Clostridioides difficile</i> infections. Recognized for its pathogenic role in human pseudomembranous colitis, <i>C. difficile</i> is now emerging as a critical agent in veterinary medicine, particularly in livestock (e.g., cattle, pigs), companion animals (dogs, cats), and wildlife. Over the past five years, evidence has highlighted its association with IBD-like syndromes in animals, driven by toxin-mediated mechanisms (TcdA/TcdB), antibiotic-induced dysbiosis, and environmental spore transmission. This opinion article synthesizes recent findings on <i>C. difficile</i>’s zoonotic potential, diagnostic ambiguities (e.g., distinguishing colonization from active infection), and therapeutic challenges, including antibiotic resistance. We emphasize the urgent need for integrated One Health strategies to mitigate risks to animal and human health, advocating for improved surveillance, novel therapies, and interdisciplinary research.
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series Microorganisms
spelling doaj-art-5ece85f3faf545d8b75226ab3c102b2a2025-08-20T03:27:35ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-05-01136123310.3390/microorganisms13061233<i>Clostridioides difficile</i> in Animal Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A One Health Perspective on Emerging Zoonotic ThreatsFelipe Masiero Salvarani0Hanna Gabriela da Silva Oliveira1Francisco Alejandro Uzal2Instituto de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Pará, Castanhal 68740-970, PA, BrazilInstituto de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Pará, Castanhal 68740-970, PA, BrazilSchool of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USAInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in animals, a multifactorial gastrointestinal disorder marked by chronic inflammation, has increasingly been linked to <i>Clostridioides difficile</i> infections. Recognized for its pathogenic role in human pseudomembranous colitis, <i>C. difficile</i> is now emerging as a critical agent in veterinary medicine, particularly in livestock (e.g., cattle, pigs), companion animals (dogs, cats), and wildlife. Over the past five years, evidence has highlighted its association with IBD-like syndromes in animals, driven by toxin-mediated mechanisms (TcdA/TcdB), antibiotic-induced dysbiosis, and environmental spore transmission. This opinion article synthesizes recent findings on <i>C. difficile</i>’s zoonotic potential, diagnostic ambiguities (e.g., distinguishing colonization from active infection), and therapeutic challenges, including antibiotic resistance. We emphasize the urgent need for integrated One Health strategies to mitigate risks to animal and human health, advocating for improved surveillance, novel therapies, and interdisciplinary research.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/6/1233dysbiosistoxigenic <i>Clostridioides difficile</i>zoonotic transmissionantimicrobial resistancegut microbiotaone health
spellingShingle Felipe Masiero Salvarani
Hanna Gabriela da Silva Oliveira
Francisco Alejandro Uzal
<i>Clostridioides difficile</i> in Animal Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A One Health Perspective on Emerging Zoonotic Threats
Microorganisms
dysbiosis
toxigenic <i>Clostridioides difficile</i>
zoonotic transmission
antimicrobial resistance
gut microbiota
one health
title <i>Clostridioides difficile</i> in Animal Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A One Health Perspective on Emerging Zoonotic Threats
title_full <i>Clostridioides difficile</i> in Animal Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A One Health Perspective on Emerging Zoonotic Threats
title_fullStr <i>Clostridioides difficile</i> in Animal Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A One Health Perspective on Emerging Zoonotic Threats
title_full_unstemmed <i>Clostridioides difficile</i> in Animal Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A One Health Perspective on Emerging Zoonotic Threats
title_short <i>Clostridioides difficile</i> in Animal Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A One Health Perspective on Emerging Zoonotic Threats
title_sort i clostridioides difficile i in animal inflammatory bowel disease a one health perspective on emerging zoonotic threats
topic dysbiosis
toxigenic <i>Clostridioides difficile</i>
zoonotic transmission
antimicrobial resistance
gut microbiota
one health
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/6/1233
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