Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI)
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the colon, causing symptoms ranging from mild diarrhea to severe inflammation of the colon. It often occurs after the use of antibiotics, which disrupt the normal gut flora and allow C. difficile to thrive. Our company is well-equipped to address your drug and therapy development requirements in Clostridium difficile infection.
Overview of Clostridium difficile Infection
Clostridium difficile infection continues to be a significant healthcare challenge globally, with varying incidence rates across different settings.Clostridium difficile (Clostridioides difficile) is a strictly anaerobic, spore-forming Gram-positive bacterium that has become a significant cause of gastrointestinal infections. The Emerging Infections Program reports over 15,000 annual cases of CDI, accounting for an estimated 15% to 25% of antibiotic-associated infectious diarrhea globally. .
Pathogenesis of Clostridium difficile Infection
Clostridioides difficile produces toxins, primarily TcdA and TcdB, which play crucial roles in its pathogenicity. These toxins disrupt the cytoskeleton of host cells by glycosylating Rho family GTPases, leading to cell rounding, loss of tight junctions, and increased permeability of the intestinal epithelium. This results in inflammation, diarrhea, and the characteristic symptoms of C. difficile infection.
Fig. 1 The mechanisms of pathogenicity of toxins in C. difficile. (Yang, J. and Yang, H., 2019) Therapeutics for Clostridium difficile Infection
Antibiotic therapy: Antibiotics such as metronidazole, vancomycin, and fidaxomicin are the primary choices for treating Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), demonstrating high efficacy and a short therapeutic period. Studies show fidaxomicin and teicoplanin have higher cure rates for sustained CDI compared to vancomycin, while fidaxomicin is particularly effective for severe cases and individuals at high risk of recurrence. Overall, fidaxomicin, vancomycin, and metronidazole remain the most frequently used antibiotics for CDI therapy.
Fig. 1 Rank of therapeutic drugs used in Clostridioides difficile infection (red) according to their effectiveness, along with their probability of being the optimal treatment (blue, P score). (Chen, J., et al., 2022)
Table. 1 Advantages and disadvantages of different non-antibiotic therapies.
| Non-antibiotic therapies | Advantages | Disadvantages | Main mechanism |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) Probiotics | Provides a high cure rate for rCDI, with rapid action and prevention of recurrence. Cost-effective, age-inclusive, and can be used as a dietary supplement. | Costly and complex procedure, not suitable for infants, and has mild side effects. | Restores normal microbiome and metabolites, achieves homeostasis. Various probiotic activities, antibacterial, boosts immune system, aids in restoring normal microbiome. |
| Engineered microorganisms | Target C. difficile with high precision | High cost, complex manufacturing process, and lacks clinical validation. | Directly modifies the genetics of microorganisms to target specific pathogens. |
| Bacteriophage | Effective against multiple resistant bacteria with a notable curative effect. | Lacks a well-understood mechanism of action, has not undergone sufficient safety assessments. | Bacteria lysis |
| Nanoparticles and compounds | Inhibits C. difficile, causes minimal body damage, and shows significant therapeutic effects in vitro. | Lack of clinical validation | Directly targets pathogen cells, induces cell damage, and destroys the pathogen without disrupting the normal microbiome. |
Our Services
Our company adopts a collaborative approach, partnering closely with clients to create tailored and innovative therapy strategies for Clostridium difficile infection. We offer comprehensive support throughout the entire development process, ensuring effective and customized solutions.
Platforms of Clostridium difficile infection Therapy Development
Animal Models of Clostridium difficile infection
We have extensive experience in creating and utilizing animal models that faithfully mimic the disease traits and therapeutic reactions of Clostridium difficile infection. These models enable us to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of prospective therapies with precision.
| Non-Genetically Engineering Models | ||
|---|---|---|
| We provide an array of models designed to meet specific research requirements for Clostridium difficile infection. These models allow researchers to replicate and study the intricate biological processes associated with the disease. | ||
| Optional Models |
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| Optional Species | Mice, Rabbits, Non-human primates, Others | |
In addition, we offer a range of comprehensive animal model services that concentrate on specific signaling pathways and molecular targets.
If you are interested in our services, please contact us at your earliest convenience for more information.
References
- Chen, J., et al., "Recent development of small-molecular inhibitors against Clostridioides difficile infection." Bioorg Chem, (2022). 125: p. 105843.
- Yang, J. and Yang, H., "Non-antibiotic therapy for Clostridioides difficile infection: a review." Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci, (2019). 56(7): p. 493-509.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.