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.