Molecular epidemiology of Clostridioides difficile in companion animals: Genetic overlap with human strains and public health concerns

Abstract

This study shows that companion animals may constitute a source of infection of toxigenic and antimicrobial resistant human associated <i>C. difficile</i> isolates. Additionally, it contributes with important data on the genetic proximity between <i>C. difficile</i> isolates from both sources, adding new information to guide future work on the role of animal reservoirs in the establishment of community associated transmission networks and alerting for potential public health risk.