How gut bacteria and bile acids affect Clostridioides difficile infections in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
Official title: The impact of inflammation induced alterations to microbially derived bile acids on susceptibility and severity of Clostridioides difficile infection
Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-10873907 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the bacteria in your gut and certain substances called bile acids might affect the risk of Clostridioides difficile infections in people with inflammatory bowel disease, and it will also test if adding specific bile acids can help make these infections less severe.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $187,272 |
| NIH project number | 5K08AI153550-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10873907 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease who are at risk for Clostridioides difficile infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without inflammatory bowel disease or those not at risk for Clostridioides difficile infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between gut microbiota, bile acids, and Clostridioides difficile infections (CDI) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It aims to understand how inflammation alters the gut microbiome and bile acid composition, potentially increasing susceptibility to CDI. The study will explore whether supplementing with specific bile acids can reduce the severity of CDI in IBD patients. By examining these interactions, the research seeks to identify preventative measures for those at higher risk of CDI.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing and treating Clostridioides difficile infections in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of gut microbiota in infections, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio State University
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Winston, Jenessa Andrzejewski — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Winston, Jenessa Andrzejewski
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how the immune system fights C. difficile to prevent recurrence
A new NIH grant is studying how the body’s own immune response to C. difficile infection might be boosted to prevent future outbreaks.
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Impact of gut bile acids on C. difficile infection in inflammatory bowel disease
This grant tests whether changes in gut microbes and their bile acids influence how likely people with inflammatory bowel disease are to get and how severe a C. difficile infection could be.
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Role of gut bacteria in shaping C. difficile infection
Aims to map how the gut microbiome and its metabolic environment influence Clostridioides difficile infection in people and how we might prevent or treat it.
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Detailed genetic look at C. difficile and the gut microbiome in infection and relapse
Researchers will sequence C. difficile and gut bacteria from thousands of patient stool samples to find genetic and microbial patterns linked to severe or recurring infections.
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Multivalent vaccine to prevent C. difficile infection and recurrence
This project is developing a vaccine that teaches the immune system to neutralize C. difficile toxins and block the bacteria from coming back for people at risk of infection.
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Gut-targeted antibiotics for C. difficile infection
Developing gut-targeted antibiotics to kill C. difficile while keeping healthy gut bacteria for people with recurrent C. difficile infections.
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.