Methods for Working with the Mouse Model

Mouse models have been developed to study the pathogenic process of Clostridium difficile infections, first the intestinal colonization and second the toxin production. These models have also been used to test the role of environmental conditions that modulate infection. Different mouse models have been used successfully to study C. difficile infections such as conventional mice, gnotobiotic mouse models including the monoxenic C. difficile mouse model, and the human microbiota-associated mouse model. The advantages and disadvantages of these models are discussed.