Bile salt tweaks to prevent C. difficile infections
Official title: Using bile salt metabolism to modulate CDI prophylaxis
Funded at University of Nevada Las Vegas · NIH-11389250 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests new bile-salt–based compounds to stop C. difficile spores from germinating and causing infection, aiming to protect people who are at risk in hospital settings.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nevada Las Vegas NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Las Vegas, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2014 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $725,006 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI109139-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11389250 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals at risk for antibiotic-associated CDI, particularly hospitalized patients or those on broad-spectrum antibiotics, could benefit from future preventive options.
✕Less likely to help
People not at risk for CDI or those who cannot tolerate bile-salt–based interventions may not benefit.
What this research studies
Clostridium difficile infection is a major cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea with substantial hospital impacts. The researchers are developing non-hydrolysable bile salt analogs that can prevent spore germination and protect animals from CDI, while avoiding toxic byproducts. The work includes an optimized development pipeline and studies in models to show how these compounds circulate in the body and resist breakdown by gut microbes. If successful, this approach could lead to a new preventive strategy for patients at risk of CDI in hospital environments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A successful approach could reduce CDI risk for patients on antibiotics, lowering illness, hospital stays, and healthcare costs.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show that bile salt analogs can reduce CDI in animal models, with several analogs protecting mice from infection.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Abel-Santos, Ernesto V — University of Nevada Las Vegas
- Study coordinator: Abel-Santos, Ernesto V
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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.