Identifying immune responses to Clostridioides difficile infection
Official title: Identification of the antigenic targets of the clonal antibody response to Clostridioides difficile infection
Funded at Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago · NIH-10886133 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how your immune system fights off Clostridioides difficile infection by examining special immune cells in your blood, which could help create better treatments and prevention methods just for you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | July 11, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $204,393 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI174116-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10886133 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who have recently experienced Clostridioides difficile infection, both children and adults.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not had a Clostridioides difficile infection or those with chronic conditions unrelated to CDI may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the immune system responds to Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) by analyzing specific immune cells called plasmablasts in patients. By collecting blood samples from individuals who have experienced CDI, researchers will isolate these cells and study the antibodies they produce. This approach aims to identify the specific antigens targeted by the immune response, which could lead to improved prevention strategies and therapies for CDI. The findings may help tailor treatments based on individual immune responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective prevention and treatment options for Clostridioides difficile infection.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in understanding immune responses to infections, but this specific approach to CDI is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kociolek, Larry K — Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Kociolek, Larry K
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.