Understanding how sex hormones affect C. difficile infection severity
Official title: Effects of estrus cycle stages on murine CDI severity
Funded at University of Nevada Las Vegas · NIH-11092809 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how sex hormones might influence how severe C. difficile infections are, especially since women tend to have a higher risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nevada Las Vegas NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Las Vegas, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $145,886 |
| NIH project number | 5R16AI175022-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11092809 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients who experience C. difficile infections, particularly women, could eventually benefit from the knowledge gained from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without C. difficile infection or those not interested in understanding sex-specific disease mechanisms would not directly benefit from this particular research.
What this research studies
C. difficile infection (CDI) is a serious issue, causing severe diarrhea and many deaths each year, especially after antibiotic use. We know that women are more likely to get CDI than men, but we don't fully understand why some people get sicker than others. This project uses a mouse model to look closely at how sex hormones might play a role in how severe CDI becomes. By studying these differences, we hope to uncover new ways to protect people from this infection.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent or treat C. difficile infections, especially considering differences between men and women.
How similar studies have gone: While mouse models are commonly used for C. difficile research, this specific focus on sex hormone levels and their impact on infection severity is a novel area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Abel-Santos, Ernesto V — University of Nevada Las Vegas
- Study coordinator: Abel-Santos, Ernesto V
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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.