Understanding how our bodies respond to C. difficile infection
Official title: Regulation of C. difficile colitis by host genetic and immune factors
Funded at University of Cincinnati · NIH-11169012 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores why some people get sicker from C. difficile infections than others, focusing on individual genetic and immune differences.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Cincinnati NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $405,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI158451-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11169012 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research is relevant for anyone who has experienced or is at risk for severe C. difficile infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without C. difficile infection or those with mild cases may not directly benefit from this specific research focus on severe disease mechanisms.
What this research studies
We are learning how a common gut infection called C. difficile affects people differently, with some experiencing more severe illness. Our team found that a specific genetic difference, present in up to half of all people, might make the infection worse by increasing a certain immune signal called MIF. We are also looking at how this genetic difference affects other immune processes in the body, like cell death and recycling. By understanding these individual responses, we hope to find new ways to protect people from severe C. difficile disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that target specific immune pathways to reduce the severity of C. difficile infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have identified key roles for certain immune pathways in C. difficile infection, and our preliminary data support the importance of the leptin receptor and MIF in disease severity.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Madan, Rajat — University of Cincinnati
- Study coordinator: Madan, Rajat
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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.