Clostridium difficile

<i>Clostridium difficile</i> has been recognized as the cause of a broad spectrum of enteric disease ranging from mild antibiotic-associated diarrhea to pseudomembranous colitis. This volume gives new insights into the microbiology, diagnostics and epidemiology of <i>Clostridium difficile</i> and describes recent strategies in treatment of diseases caused by this agent. Main parts of the volume are devoted to <i>Clostridium difficile</i> toxins A and B which are the major virulence factors. The molecular biology, biochemistry, pharmacology and cell biology of these toxins which are the prototypes of a new family of large clostridial cytotoxins is described in great detail. <i>Clostridium difficile</i> toxins act as glucosyltransferases to inactivate small GTP-binding proteins of the Rho family which are involved in regulation of the actin cytoskeleton, cell adhesion and various signaling processes.