Computational Modeling Of Immune Responses To Clostridium Difficile Infection For Predicting Therapeutic Efficacy
Abstract
In this project, we propose to develop computational models and tools of the kinetic of infection, host response, pathology and response to treatment with a major focus on toxicogenic bacteria. Because of the availability of accumulated clinical data, the easy access to biological samples from infected patients and the existence of a mouse model of infection that recapitulates the main features of the immune response, we will use Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) as a proof-of-concept. C. difficile is a spore-forming gram positive bacterium that causes severe pathology through the release of toxins (tcdA and tcdB). Additionally, the incidence of community- and health care-associated C. difficile has increased in the U.S. military population, and C. difficile-associated disease (CDAD) is linked with clinically relevant sequelae in the military. The long-term goal of this proposal is to develop computational and mathematical models of the host response to CDI as a proof-of-concept organism for modeling host responses and developing new cWMD treatments.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 04, 2021
- Source ID
- HDTRA12010021
Entities
People
- Josep Bassaganyariera
Organizations
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency