Microbiota in vitro modulated with polyphenols shows decreased colonization resistance against Clostridioides difficile but can neutralize cytotoxicity

Authors

Aleksander Mahnic, National Laboratory for Health
Jennifer M. Auchtung, Baylor College of Medicine & University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Nataša Poklar Ulrih, University of Ljubljana
Robert A. Britton, Baylor College of Medicine
Maja Rupnik, NationalLaboratoryforHealth & University of Maribor

Date of this Version

2020

Citation

(2020) 10:8358 | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-65253-0

Comments

The Author(s) 2020

Abstract

While the knowledge on gut microbiota - C. difficile interactions has improved over the years, the understanding of the underlying mechanisms providing colonization resistance as well as preventative measures against the infection remain incomplete. in this study the antibiotic clindamycin and polyphenol extracts from pomegranate and blueberries were used individually and in combination to modulate fecal microbial communities in minibioreactor arrays (MBRA). Modulated communities were inoculated with C. difficile (ribotype 027). Subsequent 7-day periodical monitoring included evaluation of C. difficile growth and activity of toxins tcdA and tcdB as well as analysis of MBRA bacterial community structure (V3V4 16 S metagenomics). Polyphenols affected multiple commensal bacterial groups and showed different synergistic and antagonistic effects in combination with clindamycin. exposure to either clindamycin or polyphenols led to the loss of colonization resistance against C. difficile. the successful growth of C. difficile was most significantly correlated with the decrease in Collinsella and Lachnospiraceae. Additionally, we demonstrated that Clostridium sporogenes decreased the activity of both C. difficile toxins tcdA and tcdB. the feature was shown to be common among distinct C. sporogenes strains and could potentially be applicable as a non-antibiotic agent for the alleviation of C. difficile infection.