Hierarchical molecular test kit to detect and quantify C. difficile and C. perfringens in animal feed and livestock
Official title: A Hierarchical qPCR-dPCR Diagnostic Framework for High-Resolution Toxinotyping and Absolute Quantification of Clostridioides difficile and Clostridium perfringens
Funded at Auburn University at Auburn · NIH-11528822 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new, layered molecular panel helps detect and precisely measure harmful bacteria in animal feed and livestock to protect veterinary health and food safety.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Auburn University at Auburn NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Auburn, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $81,531 |
| NIH project number | 1U18FD008901-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11528822 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are laboratories or veterinary/public health teams handling animal feed, livestock samples, or food safety testing who need rapid and accurate toxinotype detection.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient participants are not involved; the study focuses on diagnostic methods and food-safety surveillance.
What this research studies
This project creates a three-tier molecular workflow to quickly screen for C. difficile and C. perfringens toxins in animal feed and farm samples, followed by precise quantification. It uses multiplex qPCR for toxinotypes, and droplet digital PCR for absolute counts, plus rigorous method validation and real-world sample testing. The goal is to overcome inhibitors present in complex agricultural materials and provide reliable results that can guide containment and safety decisions. The work involves optimizing DNA extraction from spores and cells and applying the methods to clinical field samples and raw diets.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the framework could improve detection, tracking, and response to toxigenic clostridia in the food-animal supply chain, reducing risks to animals and people.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows that qPCR and dPCR approaches can reliably detect and quantify bacterial toxins in complex samples, and this study expands to a hierarchical, field-ready framework.
Where this research is happening
-
Auburn University at Auburn
Auburn, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Chengming — Auburn University at Auburn
- Study coordinator: Wang, Chengming
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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.