Clostridium difficile is recognized as an important nosocomial pathogen. C. difficile infection (CDI) is thought to arise as a result of depletion of the normal gut flora by antimicrobial agents. Cefotaxime (CTX) is well-known for its propensity to cause CDI, but the reasons behind its particular predisposition to the disease remain unclear. Previous investigations have so far relied upon the hamster model of CDI or human volunteers. We have used a triple-stage chemostat model of the human gut to investigate the behaviour of C. difficile and components of the normal gut flora, in response to exposure to CTX alone, and in combination with its active metabolite desacetylcefotaxime (dCTX). C. difficile remained in a steady state during non-antibiotic exposed periods, with no detectable cytotoxin. During both antibiotic exposure regimens, proliferation of C. difficile and elevated cytotoxin levels were observed. Cessation of antibiotic instillation produced a reduction in cytotoxin levels and viable counts. Decreases in bacterial counts were observed in response to both antibiotic exposure regimens, notably for bifidobacteria and bacteroides. Numbers of bacteroides were profoundly affected by exposure to the CTX/dCTX combination, and this may indicate a possible role for bacteroides in colonization resistance. We believe that the gut model is a promising method for studying C. difficile pathogenesis in conditions analogous to the in vivo situation.
This paper explores how French native speakers experience moving between languages and cultures internationally for work purposes. Examining the narratives of professionals who have relocated to Australia from France using performance narrative inquiry methods, I argue that bilingual speakers strategically draw on multiple linguistic and cultural perspectives in interactions in the host culture. The theoretical reference points that underpin the argument draw on the work of Ricoeur on narrative phenomenology, Bourdieu's notion of symbolic capital and Goffman's dramaturgical view of the self.Cet article explore comment les Français vivent l'expérience de mobilité entre les langues et les cultures en travaillant à l'étranger. En utilisant les méthodes narratives j'examine les narrations des professionnels français demeurant en Australie et postule que les locuteurs bilingues utilisent de manière stratégique des perspectives linguistiques et culturelles multiples au cours des interactions dans la culture d'accueil. Les points de références théoriques qui sont à la base de cet argument sont la phénoménologie narrative de Ricoeur la notion du capital symbolique de Bourdieu et la conception du soi dramaturgique de Goffman.
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