Increased intestinal permeability and downregulation of absorptive ion transporters , , and contribute to diarrhea during infection.

Abstract

infection (CDI) is the leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis. Two protein toxins, TcdA and TcdB, produced by are the major determinants of disease. However, the pathophysiological causes of diarrhea during CDI are not well understood. Here, we investigated the effects of toxins on paracellular permeability and apical ion transporters in the context of an acute physiological infection.