Clostridium difficile / Edition 1

by K. Aktories, T.D. Wilkins

Overview

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 and epidemiology of Clostridium difficile and describes recent strategies in treatment of diseases caused by this agent. Main parts of the volume are devoted to Clostridium difficile toxins A and B which are the major virulence factors. The molecular biology, biochemistry, pharmacology and 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 and various signaling processes.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783642086687
Publisher:	Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Publication date:	12/08/2010
Series:	Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology , #250
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of hardcover 1st ed. 2000
Pages:	150
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.01(d)

Table of Contents

List of Contents.- Microbiology, Epidemiology and Diagnosis of Clostridium difficile Infection.- Genetics of Clostridium difficile Toxins.- Molecular Mode of Action of the Large Clostridial Cytotoxins.- Cytotoxic Effects of the Clostridium difficile Toxins.- Large Clostridial Cytotoxins as Tools in Cell Biology.- Pathogenesis and Clinical Manifestations of Clostridium difficile Diarrhea and Colitis.- Treatment of Clostridium difficile-Associated Diarrhea and Colitis.