Investigation of antibiotic resistance and frequency of Clostridium difficile tcdA and tcdB genes in feces of calves in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province

Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a gram-positive, toxin-producing bacillus that can infect both human and animals. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of virulence genes and evaluation of antibiotic resistance among C. difficile isolated from feces of calves in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. In this cross-sectional study, 150 fresh feces of calves were collected and C. difficile was isolated from feces of calves using bacterial culture methods. Bacteria genomic DNA was extracted by a DNA extraction kit, and tcdA and tcdB genes were identified by Multiplex PCR method. In the final stage, antimicrobial resistance was carried out by standard Bauer-Kirby disk diffusion method. 90 samples (60%) were included C. difficile, 8 samples (8.8%) tcdA and 16 samples (17.7%) tcdB. The highest rate of antibiotic resistance was against Clindamycin (100%) and Erythromycin (90%), respectivly. In addition, the highest rate of antibiotic sensitivity was against Ciprofloxacin (50%) and Vancomycin (20%). According to the results of present study, the prevalence and antibiotic-resistant of C. difficile was high. It should be adapted to appropriate methods of prevention and treatment, as well as restricting the use of antimicrobial drugs in the development of human and animal bacteria, especially, pathogenic strains.