Investigating how gut bacteria interact with Clostridioides difficile infections
Official title: High-resolution genomic interrogation of pathogen-microbiome interactions in Clostridioides difficile infection
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11093474 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a harmful germ called Clostridioides difficile interacts with the good bacteria in the gut of people who have infections, to help find out why some people get sicker than others and to improve treatments for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | May 22, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $745,133 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI184858-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11093474 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who have been diagnosed with Clostridioides difficile infections or are at risk of developing them.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have Clostridioides difficile infections or related gastrointestinal issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the interactions between Clostridioides difficile, a harmful bacterium, and the gut microbiome in patients suffering from infections. By analyzing stool samples from over 30,000 patients, the study aims to uncover the genetic factors that influence the severity of these infections and the role of the gut microbiome in either exacerbating or mitigating the disease. The approach involves high-resolution genomic analysis to identify specific genetic elements associated with different outcomes of Clostridioides difficile infections. This could lead to better-targeted treatments and improved patient care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for Clostridioides difficile infections, reducing recurrence rates and improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding pathogen-microbiome interactions, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dantas, Gautam — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Dantas, Gautam
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.