Abstract

Clostridioides difficile spores produced during infection are important for the recurrence of the disease. Here, we show that C. difficile spores gain entry into the intestinal mucosa via pathways dependent on host fibronectin-alpha (5)beta (1) and vitronectin-alpha (v)beta (1). The exosporium protein BclA3, on the spore surface, is required for both entry pathways. Deletion of the bclA3 gene in C. difficile, or pharmacological inhibition of endocytosis using nystatin, leads to reduced entry into the intestinal mucosa and reduced recurrence of the disease in a mouse model. Our findings indicate that C. difficile spore entry into the intestinal barrier can contribute to spore persistence and infection recurrence, and suggest potential avenues for new therapies. Spores produced by Clostridioides difficile during infection are important for the recurrence of the disease. Here, Castro-Cordova et al. show that the spores gain entry into the intestinal mucosa via pathways dependent on host fibronectin and vitronectin, and spore entry inhibition leads to reduced recurrence of infection in a mouse model.