In vivo lysogenization of a Clostridium difficile bacteriophage ΦCD119

Clostridium difficile is a nosocomial pathogen identified as the cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and colitis. In this study, we have documented the lysogeny of a C difficile bacteriophage in hamsters during C difficile infection. The lysogens isolated from the hamsters were toxin typed and their phage integration site was confirmed by PCR Through toxin ELISA it was found that the toxin production in the in vivo isolated lysogens was affected due to Phi CD119 lysogenization as in the case of in vitro isolated Phi CD119 lysogens. Together our findings indicate that a baceriophage can lysogenize its C difficile host even during the infection process and highlights the importance of lysogeny of C difficile phages as an evolutionary adaptation for survival. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.