How Salmonella breaks down the gut's natural defenses

Mechanisms of Salmonella-mediated disruption of colonization resistance in the inflamed gut

NIH-funded research Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11133064

Researchers are finding how Salmonella upsets healthy gut bacteria so the infection can take hold, to help people with Salmonella-related diarrhea.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Nashville, United States)
Project IDNIH-11133064 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you get Salmonella gut infection, this project aims to explain how the bacteria upset your normal gut microbes and cause diarrhea. Researchers will use laboratory models and microbial samples to see how Salmonella-triggered inflammation changes the gut ecosystem. They will study how the pathogen resists inhibitory compounds made by healthy bacteria and how it uses inflammation-derived chemicals to grow. Understanding these steps could point to new ways to stop Salmonella from taking over the gut.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People who have had or are at risk for non-typhoidal Salmonella infection or who are willing to provide stool or related samples for research would be ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with health issues unrelated to gut infections or those seeking immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to get direct benefits from this laboratory-focused research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: Could lead to new treatments or preventive strategies that stop Salmonella from overpowering healthy gut bacteria and reduce the severity or duration of diarrheal illness.

How similar studies have performed: Previous work has shown Salmonella can exploit inflammation-derived compounds to grow in the gut, and this project builds on those findings to identify additional mechanisms.

Where this research is happening

Nashville, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.