Abstract
Inoculation of a toxigenic Clostridium difficile strain in axenic mice fed a commercial rodent diet led to pseudomembranous caecitis and death of animals within 2 d. Different diets derived from the commercial one were prepared, A ‘Low protein diet’ afforded 74 per cent protection. Several additives were given in the drinking water of mice fed the protective ‘Low protein diet’. It was shown that some proteins and/or some small molecular weight compounds extracted from a brain-heart infusion prevented the protective effect provided by the ‘Low protein diet’. Toxin production was reduced in all protected mice, while it was similar to the control in dead mice.
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