Multivalent vaccine to prevent C. difficile infection and recurrence
Multivalent vaccines against Clostridioides difficile infection
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11258986 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team is building a multivalent vaccine that targets the three C. difficile toxins (TcdA, TcdB, and binary toxin CDT) and components that reduce bacterial colonization. They are combining toxin fragments and flagellin-based parts into formulations intended for injection and for mucosal delivery. Vaccine candidates are tested in animal models to measure antibody responses, decreases in spores and toxins in stool, and protection from disease. Promising candidates would then be advanced toward human testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People most likely to qualify would be those at high risk for C. difficile, such as older adults, hospitalized patients, people who recently took antibiotics, or those with a prior C. difficile infection.
Not a fit: People with an active severe C. difficile infection may not get immediate benefit from a preventive vaccine, and individuals with severely weakened immune systems might not respond well to vaccination.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the vaccine could prevent initial C. difficile infections and lower the high rates of dangerous recurrence by neutralizing toxins and reducing transmission.
How similar studies have performed: Related vaccine approaches have shown protection in animal models, but there is not yet a licensed human vaccine for C. difficile and human efficacy remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
Tampa, United States
- University of South Florida — Tampa, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sun, Xingmin — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Sun, Xingmin
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.