Antimicrobial resistance and epidemiological trends of Clostridioides difficile in South-Eastern Nigeria: A regional perspective
1 Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology & Biotechnology, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Nigeria.
2 Department of Biological Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Eastern Illinois University, USA.
3 Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology & Biotechnology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra, Nigeria.
4 Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Texas A and M University, USA.
Research Article
World Journal of Biological and Pharmaceutical Research, 2026, 10(01), 015-025.
Article DOI: 10.53346/wjbpr.2026.10.1.0014
Publication history:
Received on 25 January 2026; revised on 08 March 2026; accepted on 11 March 2026
Abstract:
A leading cause of gastrointestinal disorders linked to healthcare, Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is becoming more and more problematic worldwide as a result of its growing resistance to first-line treatments. The exact prevalence and molecular epidemiology of C. difficile are still poorly understood in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), such as Nigeria. The incidence, molecular traits, and dynamics of antibiotic resistance of C. difficile clinical isolates in southeast Nigeria are summarized in this review. Regional data shows that CDI is under recognized due to poor surveillance infrastructure, low clinical suspicion, and diagnostic constraints. The data that is now available indicates that the number of toxigenic strains is increasing, especially those that possess the binary toxin genes (cdtA/B), tcd9A, and tcdB. Despite its limitations, molecular typing shows that there are a variety of potentially hyper-virulent ribotypes present. A concerning trend that raises worries about treatment failure and extended hospital admissions is the emergence of resistance to routinely used antibiotics like vancomycin and metronidazole. The issue is exacerbated by inadequate infection control procedures, inappropriate antibiotic use, and a lack of stewardship initiatives.
In South-eastern Nigeria, there is an urgent need to implement antibiotic stewardship and infection control strategies, develop standardized diagnostic procedures, and bolster molecular surveillance. To reduce the growing threat of C. difficile in the area, more awareness, policy integration, and capacity building are essential.
Keywords:
Clostridioides difficile; Antimicrobial Resistance; Molecular Characterization; Healthcare-Associated Infections; Clostridioides Difficile Infection (CDI)
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Copyright © 2026 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0