Toxinotype V Clostridium difficile in humans and food animals.

Clostridium difficile is a recognised pathogen in neonatal pigs and may contribute to enteritis in calves. Toxinotype V strains have been rare causes of human C. difficile–associated disease (CDAD). From 2001 through to 2006, 8 (1.3%) of 620 patient isolates were identified as toxinotype V; before 2001, 7 (<0.02%) of ?6,000 isolates were identified as toxinotype V. Six (46.2%) of 13 case-patients for whom information was available had community-associated CDAD. Molecular characterisation showed a high degree of similarity between human and animal toxinotype V isolates. Emerg Infect Dis. 2008; Available from http://www.cdc.gov/EID/content/14/7/1039.htm DOI: 10.3201/eid1407.071641.