Research Archive — Page 12 of 139

C. difficile bacteria (image courtesy of CDC/Jennifer Oosthuizen)
February 18, 2026

Vanderbilt research offers new hope for preventing repeated C. diff infections

Treatment options are limited for the more than 500,000 people in the U.S. who are diagnosed annually with C. diff infections, but researchers are working on potential vaccines, therapeutic antibodies and — most recently — nanobodies, to prevent and treat C. diff infections.

By Bill Snyder
Two researchers stand beside shelves of laboratory bottles, pipettes, containers, and other equipment in a research lab.
February 18, 2026

Novel vaccine protects against C. diff disease and recurrence

New study represents a major step forward for vaccine development for C. diff, the leading cause of health care- and antibiotic-associated infection.

By Leigh MacMillan
(iStock)
February 13, 2026

Anti-Marburg antibody from Vanderbilt Health sent to Ethiopia during outbreak

There currently are no approved treatments or vaccines to protect against the infection, which can cause internal bleeding, organ failure, and in roughly 50% of cases, death.

By Bill Snyder
3D-rendered coronavirus particle with a textured gray spherical core, red spike-like projections, and smaller yellow surface details; blurred particles appear in the background.
February 11, 2026

Vaccination cuts risk of COVID-19 respiratory failure or death by 80%

Researchers at Vanderbilt Health and around the country continue to evaluate the effectiveness of vaccines approved by the Food and Drug Administration to reduce the severity and lethality of respiratory infections caused by the ever-mutating SARS-CoV-2 virus.

By Bill Snyder
Vanderbilt Health performed a record number of solid organ transplants in fiscal year 2026 — 981 lifesaving procedures among its adult and pediatric programs. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
February 11, 2026

Heart preservation technique increases pool of organs available for transplant

The technique, termed REUP (rapid recovery with extended ultraoxygenated preservation), avoids traditional methods that reanimate the heart within or outside the donor’s body.

By Matt Batcheldor
Box labeled “Statin Medication,” 20 mg, with tablets beside a stethoscope, ECG tracing, and cholesterol lipid panel report.
February 9, 2026

AI finds patient-level statin barriers in clinical notes

A novel AI framework found documented intolerance to statins in 6.4% of all adult patients, contraindications in 0.7%, and statin deferral in 2.9%.

By Paul Govern