Recurrent Infections with the Enteric Pathogen Clostridium Difficile Is a Major

question 24

Essay

Recurrent infections with the enteric pathogen Clostridium difficile is a major cause of chronic antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and causes >10,000 deaths per year in the US. An increasing number of individuals with this disorder are choosing to be treated with a fecal transplant from a healthy individual. Why is this treatment effective?

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Definitions:

Recessive

A type of gene that generally does not manifest in the presence of a dominant gene; it requires two copies (one from each parent) for the trait to be expressed.

Homozygous

Having two identical alleles for a particular gene or genes, contributing to specific traits or conditions.

Recessive Inheritance

A genetic phenomenon where a trait is expressed only when two copies of a recessive allele are present, one from each parent.

Genetic Mutation

A change in the DNA sequence within a gene or chromosome of an organism that can lead to differences in physical traits or health.