How a female hormonal state may affect C. difficile symptoms in mice
Official title: Effects of estrus cycle stages on murine CDI severity
Funded at University of Nevada Las Vegas · NIH-11369907 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how the stage of the estrus cycle in female mice affects the severity of Clostridium difficile infection, with potential insights for human health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nevada Las Vegas NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Las Vegas, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $145,790 |
| NIH project number | 5R16AI175022-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11369907 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Humans who have or are at risk for C. difficile infection, especially women and individuals with immune-compromising conditions.
✕Less likely to help
This animal study does not directly involve people and may not benefit all CDI patients.
What this research studies
Researchers will use female mice to test whether different estrus cycle stages change how severely C. difficile infection presents. They will compare disease signs, outcomes, and underlying biology across cycle phases and sexes to understand susceptibility. The study may help identify sex-based factors that influence CDI severity and guide future human studies. The project builds on existing mouse models that mimic human CDI and treatment responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform sex- and hormone-aware approaches to prevent or better manage CDI in humans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous mouse studies have shown sex differences in CDI severity, supporting further investigation in this area.
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.