10.26180/5b77d2e0000de BLISS ALICE CUNNINGHAM BLISS ALICE CUNNINGHAM An analysis of strain diversity in Clostridium difficile and development of a targeted immunotherapeutic Monash University 2018 Immunotherapy microbiology infectious disease bovine colostrum Clostridium difficile Microbiology Infectious Diseases 2018-08-18 08:03:42 Thesis https://bridges.monash.edu/articles/thesis/An_analysis_of_strain_diversity_in_Clostridium_difficile_and_development_of_a_targeted_immunotherapeutic/6982406 Clostridium difficile is recognised as the leading cause of bacterial antibiotic-associated diarrhoea worldwide. While these antibiotics successfully treat disease patients remain susceptible to recurrent infection by preventing reestablishment of the protective bacteria in the gut, therefore non-antibiotic alternatives are required. This thesis explored the use of targeted bovine colostrum to prevent disease. By targeting multiple aspects of the C. difficile life cycle, we were able to successfully prevent fulminant disease in mice. We also demonstrated the importance of considering the many different types of C. difficile strains when designing a treatment, to ensure optimal efficacy.