Using gut bacteria to fight Clostridium difficile infections
MICROBIOTA-DEPENDENT CONTROL OF CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE: THE ROLE OF ACETATE AND IL-22 BINDING PROTEIN
This study is looking at how the good bacteria in your gut can help your immune system fight off C. difficile infections, which cause diarrhea in people in the hospital, by focusing on a helpful substance called acetate, and it aims to find new ways to help patients who keep getting these infections despite usual treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10763362 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how the gut microbiota can be utilized to improve immune responses against Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infections, which are a leading cause of diarrhea in hospitalized patients. The study focuses on the role of acetate, a compound produced by gut bacteria, in enhancing the body's immune response. Researchers will explore how acetate interacts with immune cells to combat C. difficile and will assess the impact of a protein that regulates immune responses. The goal is to identify new therapeutic strategies for patients suffering from recurrent infections that do not respond to standard treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients who have experienced recurrent C. difficile infections and have not benefited from conventional antimicrobial therapies.
Not a fit: Patients with C. difficile infections who are responding well to standard treatments may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that significantly reduce the incidence and severity of C. difficile infections.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results in using microbiota-derived compounds to enhance immune responses, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Colonna, Marco — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Colonna, Marco
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.