Understanding immune responses to Clostridioides difficile infections
Official title: Immune profiling to stratify Clostridioides difficile infection outcomes
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-10865000 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the immune system reacts to Clostridioides difficile infections to help doctors understand which patients might be at greater risk for serious problems, so they can provide better care and treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | July 12, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $192,201 |
| NIH project number | 5K23AI163368-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10865000 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Clostridioides difficile infections, particularly those experiencing severe symptoms or complications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have Clostridioides difficile infections or those with mild, uncomplicated cases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on how the immune system responds to Clostridioides difficile infections, which are a major healthcare concern. The team will create a detailed database of patients with these infections, analyzing various immune markers and the presence of specific toxins to predict patient outcomes. By studying factors like eosinophil levels and certain biomarkers, the goal is to develop a model that can help identify which patients are at higher risk of severe outcomes. This approach aims to improve treatment strategies and patient care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better prediction and management of Clostridioides difficile infections, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using immune profiling to predict outcomes in infectious diseases, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Madden, Gregory Russell — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Madden, Gregory Russell
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how the immune system fights C. difficile to prevent recurrence
A new NIH grant is studying how the body’s own immune response to C. difficile infection might be boosted to prevent future outbreaks.
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Impact of gut bile acids on C. difficile infection in inflammatory bowel disease
This grant tests whether changes in gut microbes and their bile acids influence how likely people with inflammatory bowel disease are to get and how severe a C. difficile infection could be.
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Role of gut bacteria in shaping C. difficile infection
Aims to map how the gut microbiome and its metabolic environment influence Clostridioides difficile infection in people and how we might prevent or treat it.
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Detailed genetic look at C. difficile and the gut microbiome in infection and relapse
Researchers will sequence C. difficile and gut bacteria from thousands of patient stool samples to find genetic and microbial patterns linked to severe or recurring infections.
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Multivalent vaccine to prevent C. difficile infection and recurrence
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.
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Gut-targeted antibiotics for C. difficile infection
Developing gut-targeted antibiotics to kill C. difficile while keeping healthy gut bacteria for people with recurrent C. difficile infections.
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.