# ISOLATION OF TOXINS FROM C DIFFICILE AND C SORDELLII

> **NIH NIH R01** · VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INST AND ST UNIV · 1987 · $159,258

## Abstract

Pseudomembranous colitis is a life-threatening disease that is caused
indirectly by antibiotic therapy.  Physicians now are forced to use large
doses of antibiotics to eliminate increasingly resistant pathogens, and
such therapy kills many of the beneficial anaerobic bacteria in our
colons.  In this altered ecosystem, other pathogens can grow and produce
toxins that can kill the patient.  Clostridium difficile is the most common
cause of this antibiotic-associated colitis.  This species produces an
enterotoxin (toxin A) and a potent cytotoxin (toxin B) both of which appear
to be involved in the disease.  We have purified both toxins and shown that
they are composed of subunits.  We will isolate the subunits and define the
toxic and binding subunits (if they are different).  We have identified a
glycoprotein receptor for the enterotoxin, and we also will isolate this
receptor.  The carbohydrate specificity of the binding site will be
determined, and we will define whether this receptor is involved in
internalization of the toxin.  We will examine the binding of the toxins in
vivo to the hamster's colon and in vitro to brush border membranes.  The
receptor for toxin A will be used in rapid latex agglutination and passive
hemagglutination tests to detect the toxin in fecal specimens.  Our
monoclonal antibodies to toxin A also  will be used in such assays, and we
will develop monoclonal antibodies for toxin B.  We also are developing
ELISA tests for other clostridial toxins that may cause
antibiotic-associated diarrheas.  Once such toxin is the iota toxin of C.
spiroforme, which we have found to consist of two synergistic proteins.
Toxins A and B of C. difficile also appear to act synergistically, and we
will examine the mechanisms involved.  Our research will result in a better
understanding of colitis and diarrhea resulting from antibiotics and should
lead to improved diagnosis.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3126413
- **Project number:** 5R01AI015749-09
- **Recipient organization:** VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INST AND ST UNIV
- **SAM.gov UEI:** QDE5UHE5XD16
- **Principal Investigator:** Tracy D. Wilkins
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $159,258
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1979-07-01 → 1988-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3126413

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3126413, ISOLATION OF TOXINS FROM C DIFFICILE AND C SORDELLII (5R01AI015749-09). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3126413. Licensed CC0.

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