Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)

December 12, 2019

Wexler receives Helen Hay Whitney Foundation Fellowship

Aaron Wexler, PhD, a research fellow in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, has received a Helen Hay Whitney Foundation Fellowship.

By Leigh MacMillan
September 24, 2019

Treating C. diff: new purpose for an old drug?

An inexpensive generic drug once used to prevent gastrointestinal ulcers in people taking daily NSAIDs protects against C. diff infection in mice.

By Paul Govern
white pills spilling out of a prescription bottle
January 17, 2019

Pain relievers a risk for C. diff?

A link between anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and C. diff infection suggests caution against overusing such drugs in patients at high risk for infection.

By Leigh MacMillan
Illustration of human intestinal tract
March 22, 2018

Grant bolsters study of potential new therapy for C. diff infection

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2011 in the United States there were almost half a million Clostridium difficile infections, and one in 11 patients 65 or older with a healthcare-associated C. diff infection died within 30 days of diagnosis.

By Paul Govern
Clostridium difficile bacterium, 3D illustration
January 26, 2018

Versatile C. difficile blocker

New research reveals a unique mechanism of C. difficile toxin neutralization by a monoclonal antibody, suggesting new therapeutic approaches.

By Bill Snyder
May 1, 2017

Clue to recurrent C. diff infection

Children who experience recurrent C. diff infections may have fecal inflammatory markers that could predict risk and improve management of these infections.

By Sanjay Mishra
September 26, 2016

Study shows excess dietary zinc worsens C. diff infection

Too much dietary zinc increases susceptibility to infection by Clostridium difficile — “C. diff” — the most common cause of hospital-acquired infections.
By Leigh MacMillan
January 14, 2016

Crystal structure reveals secrets of virulent bacterium

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have obtained the crystal structure of a toxin from the bacterium Clostridium difficile (“C. diff”) — the leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea in the United States.
By Bill Snyder
August 6, 2015

Skaar receives American Asthma Foundation award

Eric Skaar, Ph.D., MPH, the Ernest W. Goodpasture Professor of Pathology, has received a Scholar Award from the American Asthma Foundation (AAF).
By Leigh MacMillan
June 4, 2015

Study identifies C. diff toxin receptor, suggests new treatment approaches

Vanderbilt University investigators have identified a cellular receptor for a toxin from Clostridium difficile (“C. diff”) — the leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea in the United States.
By Leigh MacMillan
November 8, 2013

Defusing ‘C. diff’ infection

By Leigh MacMillan