FIG 7.

C. difficile CCUG37785 protects mice against infection with C. difficile R20291. (A) Experimental scheme of testing if strain CCUG37785 can protect mice against infection with the strain R20291. After 4 days of pretreatment with an antibiotic mixture, mice were given autoclaved water for 2 days, followed by a single dose of intraperitoneal injection with clindamycin (10 mg/kg) 1 day before (day-1) challenge with R20291 spores by gavage (day 0). Group 1 (CCUG37785) was challenged with 10⁶ CCUG37785 spores on day 0; Group 2 (R20291) was challenged with 10⁶ R20291 spores on day 0; Group 3 (CCUG37785/R20291) was given 10⁶ CCUG37785 spores by gavage on days -1 and -2, followed by challenge with 10⁶ R20291 spores on day 0; Group 4 (R20291/CCUG37785) was infected with 10⁶ R20291 spores on day 0, followed by giving 10⁶ CCUG37785 spores by gavage on days 2 and 3. Mice were monitored for disease symptoms for 7 days. (B) Percent survivals, (C) total percentage of diarrhea during the infection period, (D) daily percentage of diarrhea during the infection period, and (E) weight change of four groups of mice were plotted. Data are presented as mean ± SD (n = 10). ∗, P < 0.05, compare between group R20291 and group CUUG37785 + R20291. ns, no significantly.