Pablo Castro-Córdova

Repurposing nystatin and taurocholate to target intracellular spore persistence during antibiotic treatment to prevent recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection.

This study shows that combining nystatin, taurocholate, and antibiotics, with nanoparticle delivery, reduces recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection by targeting intracellular spores.

Gut complement C1q and C3 interact with Clostridioides difficile spores via CdeM and contribute to pathogenesis.

This study identifies complement proteins C1q and C3 as interacting with C. difficile spores via CdeM, influencing spore entry, persistence, and recurrence of infection.

Clostridioides difficile major toxins remodel the intestinal epithelia, affecting spore adherence/internalization into intestinal tissue and their association with gut vitronectin.

This study shows that C. difficile toxins TcdA and TcdB remodel fibronectin and vitronectin in intestinal tissue, enhancing spore adherence and internalization, which may contribute to disease recurrence.