Effects of sexual dimorphism and estrous cycle on C. difficile infections prophylaxis in two rodent models

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is responsible for the majority of identifiable hospital-related antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Susceptibility to CDI and severity of disease varies depending on a variety of factors such as aggressive use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, age, and immune status. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that female patients are more at risk for CDI than their male counterparts. C. difficile is spread by spores which can persist in the environment and in the intestines of patients. Spores do not cause disease but germinate in the antibiotic-altered gut of patients to generate toxin producing vegetative cells. The germination of C. difficile spores is mediated by the composition of bile salts in the gut with taurocholate facilitating germination and chenodeoxycholate inhibiting it.