Oral probiotic therapy to block C. difficile spread
Development of Oral Immunotherapy against Clostridioides difficile Transmission
A friendly probiotic yeast will deliver tiny antibodies in the gut to lower C. difficile spores and help stop the bacteria from spreading among people at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11303466 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project engineers a probiotic yeast to release small, single‑domain antibodies that bind a C. difficile surface protein (Cwp84) in the gut. Researchers will screen and optimize bispecific VHH antibodies, produce them in the yeast, and test lead candidates in laboratory and mouse models to see if they reduce bacterial colonization and spore shedding. The goal is to develop an oral immunotherapy that could eventually be tested in people to prevent transmission in hospitals and long‑term care settings.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People at higher risk for C. difficile infection or spread—such as recent antibiotic users, hospitalized patients, or nursing‑home residents—are the eventual target population for this therapy.
Not a fit: Those with unrelated health problems, infections caused by non‑target strains, or who cannot take probiotic yeast (for example, due to specific allergies or contraindications) may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce C. difficile colonization and spore shedding, lowering transmission and protecting vulnerable patients from infection.
How similar studies have performed: Related preclinical work, including mouse experiments with engineered yeast, has shown reduced disease severity and spore shedding, but this approach has not yet been tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- University of Maryland Baltimore — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Yongrong — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Yongrong
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.