Comparative genomic analysis of the emerging Clostridium difficile RT106 strain

Clostridium difficile RT106 emerged as a dominant ribotype in North America in the recent years, but the underlying factors contributing to its sudden prominence are poorly understood. As part of an ongoing C. difficile surveillance study in Arizona, we monitored the occurrence of RT106 and other ribotypes in a Tucson-based hospital. Comparative genomic and phenotypic analyses were performed to identify possible contributors to RT106 virulence.