Investigating why antibiotics fail to treat infections in diabetic patients

Diabetes and Antibiotic Treatment Failure

NIH-funded research Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10973596

This study is looking into why antibiotics sometimes don't work for people with diabetes who have skin infections caused by a common bacteria, using mice to see how high sugar levels in diabetes might make the bacteria tougher to treat, with the goal of finding better ways to help patients heal.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chapel Hill, United States)
Project IDNIH-10973596 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding the reasons behind the failure of antibiotic treatments in diabetic patients suffering from skin and soft tissue infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Using a mouse model, the study compares normal and diabetic mice to observe how high glucose levels in diabetic environments may lead to increased antibiotic resistance and tolerance in bacteria. The research aims to uncover the metabolic changes in both bacteria and the host that contribute to these treatment failures, which could ultimately inform better treatment strategies for affected patients.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults with diabetes who are experiencing skin and soft tissue infections.

Not a fit: Patients without diabetes or those not suffering from skin and soft tissue infections may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved antibiotic treatments for diabetic patients, reducing the incidence of chronic infections and severe complications.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated that metabolic factors can influence antibiotic resistance, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Chapel Hill, 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.