Isolation and characterization of Clostridium difficile from pet dogs in Assam, India.

Abstract One hundred and seventeen faecal samples from pet dogs (pup = 21 and adult = 96) brought for treatment to a veterinary clinic were examined for Clostridium difficile . A total of 16 (13.67%) samples were positive. Nine (56.25%) isolates were obtained from 17 adult dogs undergoing antibiotic treatment and this was significantly higher (p  + B + isolates and five different ribotypes (010, SLO 131, and ACD 001 to ACD 003) among A − B − isolates. The PFGE analysis of toxigenic isolates revealed three different pulsotypes corresponding to the PCR ribotypes.