A blood test to check immunity against Clostridioides difficile infection
Official title: A Serological Assay for Neutralizing Antitoxin Response in Patients with Clostridioides difficile Infection (Phase II)
Funded at Fzata, INC. · NIH-10682402 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new blood test to see if people who have had a Clostridioides difficile infection have enough antibodies to stop it from coming back, making it easier to manage the infection and reduce the chances of it returning.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fzata, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Halethorpe, United States) |
| Project start | January 20, 2018 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $923,175 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AI136176-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10682402 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have been diagnosed with Clostridioides difficile infection and are undergoing treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been diagnosed with Clostridioides difficile infection or those who are not currently receiving treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a blood test that can determine if patients infected with Clostridioides difficile have produced enough neutralizing antibodies to prevent the infection from recurring. The current treatment methods often lead to high rates of recurrence due to the disruption of gut microbiota. By using a novel serological assay, the researchers aim to provide a quicker and more standardized method for measuring these antibodies, which could help in managing the infection more effectively. The study involves collaboration with experienced organizations to ensure the test's reliability and predictive capabilities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the recurrence of Clostridioides difficile infections, improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing similar serological assays, indicating a potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Fzata, INC.
Halethorpe, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Zhiyong — Fzata, INC.
- Study coordinator: Yang, Zhiyong
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how the immune system fights C. difficile to prevent recurrence
A new NIH grant is studying how the body’s own immune response to C. difficile infection might be boosted to prevent future outbreaks.
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Impact of gut bile acids on C. difficile infection in inflammatory bowel disease
This grant tests whether changes in gut microbes and their bile acids influence how likely people with inflammatory bowel disease are to get and how severe a C. difficile infection could be.
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Role of gut bacteria in shaping C. difficile infection
Aims to map how the gut microbiome and its metabolic environment influence Clostridioides difficile infection in people and how we might prevent or treat it.
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Detailed genetic look at C. difficile and the gut microbiome in infection and relapse
Researchers will sequence C. difficile and gut bacteria from thousands of patient stool samples to find genetic and microbial patterns linked to severe or recurring infections.
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Multivalent vaccine to prevent C. difficile infection and recurrence
This project is developing a vaccine that teaches the immune system to neutralize C. difficile toxins and block the bacteria from coming back for people at risk of infection.
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Gut-targeted antibiotics for C. difficile infection
Developing gut-targeted antibiotics to kill C. difficile while keeping healthy gut bacteria for people with recurrent C. difficile infections.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.