A New Vaccine for C. difficile Infection
Official title: Enhancing C. difficile vaccination in the context of TcdB-mediated immunosuppression.
Funded at University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr · NIH-11134713 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to create a better vaccine to protect people from serious C. difficile infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oklahoma City, United States) |
| Project start | July 25, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $371,101 |
| NIH project number | 5U19AI174994-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11134713 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is relevant for individuals at high risk of C. difficile infection, such as those undergoing antibiotic treatment or with weakened immune systems.
✕Less likely to help
Patients currently suffering from an active C. difficile infection would not directly benefit from this preventive vaccine development.
What this research studies
Researchers are working to develop a new and improved vaccine to prevent C. difficile disease, which causes severe gut illness and many deaths each year. They are focusing on a modified version of a C. difficile toxin that can trigger a protective immune response without causing harm. This modified toxin will be combined with another part of the C. difficile bacteria to create a powerful combination vaccine. The team will test these new vaccine candidates in animal models to ensure they are safe and effective at preventing infection. They will also explore how C. difficile might weaken the body's immune response, which could help make vaccines work even better.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a highly effective vaccine that significantly reduces the number of C. difficile infections and related deaths.
How similar studies have gone: While previous efforts have explored C. difficile vaccines, this project is developing a novel combination vaccine approach and investigating how the bacteria might evade immune responses.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
Oklahoma City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ballard, Jimmy D. — University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
- Study coordinator: Ballard, Jimmy D.
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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.