Derived Compound for Treatment of C. Difficle

According to the American College of Gastroenterology, Diarrhea is a frequent side effect of antibiotics, occurring 10–20% of the time. It usually gets better when the antibiotics are stopped. Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is due to a toxin-producing bacteria that causes a more severe form of antibiotic associated diarrhea. The disease ranges from mild diarrhea to severe colon inflammation that can even be fatal. CDI usually occurs when people have taken antibiotics that change the normal colon bacteria allowing the C. difficile bacteria to grow and produce its toxins. Since 2000, there has been a dramatic increase in the number and severity of cases of C. difficile infection (CDI) in the US, Canada and other countries. C. difficile is a gram positive bacterium. This bacterium is everywhere in the environment, and produces spores that are hard to get rid of. C. difficile produces two main toxins – toxins A and B – that cause inflammation in the colon. Researchers at UTSA and UT Health SAhave generated multiple derivatives of the compound otilonium. These derivatives have increased anti-bacterial action and/or decreased eukaryotic toxicity, and/or increased stability. These compounds may be used to treat C. difficle infection. Robert Graham robert.graham@utsa.edu (210) 458-8139