231
© Springer Nature B.V. 2020
G. Sindona et al. (eds.), Toxic Chemical and Biological Agents, NATO Science
for Peace and Security Series A: Chemistry and Biology,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-2041-8_19
Chapter 19
Mapping Molecular Interactions
in the Clostridioides difficile Infected
Gastrointestinal Tract Using Multimodal
Imaging Mass Spectrometry
Emma R. Guiberson, Aaron G. Wexler, William J. Perry, Eric P. Skaar,
Richard M. Caprioli, and Jeffrey M. Spraggins
19.1 Introduction
Clostridioides difficile is a spore-forming pathogen that impacts half a million people annually in the United States alone [1]. C. difficile infections are characterized
by the release of toxins that attack the intestinal linings, disrupting the normal gut
flora [2]. Previous C. difficile studies utilized primarily histological techniques such
as hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides, imaging limited to photomicrographs, and
mass spectrometry techniques serving only for identification. Quantification techniques were limited to spore counts in feces. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/
E. R. Guiberson (*) · W. J. Perry
Mass Spectrometry Research Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
e-mail: emma.r.guiberson@vanderbilt.edu
A. G. Wexler · E. P. Skaar
Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University,
Nashville, TN, USA
R. M. Caprioli
Mass Spectrometry Research Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
Departments of Pharmacology and Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
J. M. Spraggins
Mass Spectrometry Research Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA