How Nerves Help Fight C. difficile Infection
Nervous system control of immunity to C. difficile
This project explores how our nervous system helps the body fight off C. difficile infections, especially when the infection keeps coming back.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oklahoma City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11134720 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
C. difficile is a common hospital infection that often returns because the body struggles to make enough protective antibodies. We are looking into how C. difficile might trick our immune system and why some people don't develop strong defenses. Interestingly, conditions that increase the risk of C. difficile, like antibiotic use or inflammatory bowel disease, can affect nerves in the gut. We believe that signals from these nerves might be crucial for the immune system to respond effectively to the infection. Understanding this connection could help us find new ways to prevent and treat C. difficile.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who experience recurrent C. difficile infections or are at high risk due to conditions like inflammatory bowel disease might eventually benefit from this research.
Not a fit: Patients without C. difficile infection or those whose infections respond well to current treatments may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that boost the body's natural defenses against C. difficile, helping to prevent recurrent infections.
How similar studies have performed: While the role of the nervous system in immunity is gaining recognition, this specific connection between gut nerves, C. difficile, and adaptive immunity is a novel area of exploration.
Where this research is happening
Oklahoma City, United States
- University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr — Oklahoma City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cox, Maureen — University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
- Study coordinator: Cox, Maureen
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.