To generate and characterise a master and working stock of each of four strains of fresh clinical isolates representing the current dominant ribotypes of Clostridum difficile. Production of a Clostridim difficile strain panel

Public Health England (PHE) was commissioned by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to produce and characterise a panel of fresh clinical isolates of Clostridim difficile which represent the main ribotypes of circulating strains in the USA. The project reached into recent clinical isolates collected by PHE laboratories and selected strains on the basis of mutiple criteria including toxin A and B production. Master and working stock of each of four strains were created and sequenced as part of the characterisation component of the study. It is intended that this set of strains will be used in future studies to assist in the standardised assessment of new therapies, drugs or vaccines aimed at protecting the health of people at risk from infection with Clostridium difficile