Helping friendly gut bacteria block C. difficile infections
Harnessing commensal redox metabolism in infection prevention
['FUNDING_R01'] · BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL · NIH-11241084
This project tests whether boosting or changing how helpful gut bacteria use nutrients can stop C. difficile from growing and causing infections in people at risk.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11241084 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you are someone prone to C. difficile, this work looks at how the gut's helpful bacteria and the C. difficile pathogen compete for nutrients that support growth. Researchers will track how specific carbon and amino-acid nutrients move between the pathogen, protective commensals, and host tissues using innovative nutrient-tracing methods. They will deliberately change the gut environment by supplying carbon sources that the pathogen, protective bacteria, or both can ferment to see how those changes affect infection. The goal is to use those findings to guide development of targeted small-molecule treatments or bacteriotherapies to prevent or treat infection.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would include people with a history of recurrent C. difficile infection, those at high risk after antibiotic use, or adults willing to join microbiome-focused prevention studies.
Not a fit: People with infections unrelated to C. difficile, those with conditions that prevent changing their gut microbiome, or some severely immunocompromised patients may not directly benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new dietary, probiotic, or small-molecule strategies to prevent or reduce C. difficile infections.
How similar studies have performed: Altering the gut microbiome has shown promise in animal models and some human trials for C. difficile, but specifically targeting redox-driven nutrient flow is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
BOSTON, UNITED STATES
- BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL — BOSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: BRY, LYNN — BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
- Study coordinator: BRY, LYNN
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 below.