Clostridium difficile (Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology)
Contributors: K. Aktories (Editor); T.D. Wilkins (Editor)
Edition: 1 edition
Publisher: Springer
Published: July 31, 2000
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 143
ISBN-13: 9783540672913
Subjects: Medical microbiology & virology; Pharmacology; Microbiology; Cellular Pathology; Microbial Genetics; Science; Medical / Nursing; Life Sciences - Biology - Microbiology; Science/Mathematics; Pathology; Immunology; Medical / Immunology; Medical : Microbiology; Science / Microbiology; Science : Life Sciences - Biology - Microbiology
Description: Clostridium difficile has been recognized as the cause of a broad spectrum of enteric disease ranging from mild antibiotic-associated diarrhea to pseudomembranous colitis. This volume gives new insights into the microbiology, diagnostics & epidemiology of Clostridium difficile & describes recent strategies in treatment of diseases caused by this agent. Main parts of the volume are devoted to Clostridium difficile toxins A & B which are the major virulence factors. The molecular biology, biochemistry, pharmacology & cell biology of these toxins which are the prototypes of a new family of large clostridial cytotoxins is described in great detail. Clostridium difficile toxins act as glucosyltransferases to inactivate small GTP-binding proteins of the Rho family which are involved in regulation of the actin cytoskeleton, cell adhesion & various signaling processes.