Comparative role of antibiotic and proton pump inhibitor in experimental Clostridium difficile infection in mice

Clostridium difficile inoculated BALB/c mice were investigated to assess the comparative role of antibiotic and proton pump inhibitor. They were examined for colonization and toxin production by C. difficile as well as myeloperoxidase activity and histopathological changes in the intestinal tract. The C. difficile count, toxin A and B titres and myeloperoxidase activity were significantly higher (P>0.05) in ampicillin and lansoprazole receiving groups as compared to the control and the C. difficile receiving groups. Similarly they showed significant difference (P >0.05) for epithelial damage, oedema and neutrophilic infiltrate in colons. In addition to antibiotic, PPI also acts as an independent risk factor for C. difficile infection in experimental studies.