By Dr. Olivia Wickens, Associate Medical Director & Dr. Rahul Prasad, Research Physician
Clostridioides difficile, more commonly known as C. diff, remains one of the most persistent and challenging infections affecting patients today. As research physicians, we see first-hand the significant clinical and emotional toll this condition can take, particularly on older adults and those recently exposed to antibiotics or hospital care.
What Do We Know About C. diff?
More than just a stomach bug, C. diff infection most frequently affects individuals who have recently completed a course of antibiotics or experienced a prolonged hospital stay. These are moments when the natural bacterial balance of the gut is disrupted, creating an opportunity for C. diff to take hold. Older adults are particularly vulnerable, and the impact on their quality of life can be substantial.
Research shows that people are up to ten times more likely to develop a C. diff infection while taking antibiotics or within three months of completing them. Longer or repeated antibiotic courses further increase this risk. For many patients, the physical effects are only part of the burden. The emotional strain, stemming from isolation, stigma, and fear of recurrence can be equally distressing. C. diff is well known for returning even after successful treatment, leaving patients anxious and uncertain.
Clinically, the infection causes inflammation of the large intestine, producing symptoms that can range from mild diarrhoea to, in severe cases, life-threatening damage to the colon. These complications place individuals at risk of hospitalisation, prolonged recovery, and significant disruption to daily life.
The problem is growing. In the UK, there has been a 33% increase in C. diff infections between 2020/21 and 2023/24. Some C. diff infections are getting harder to treat because the bacteria are becoming more resistant to antibiotics, which raises the risk of developing and spreading the infection. This rise highlights an urgent need for better ways to protect those at risk.
How Panthera Is Helping to Make a Difference
Right now, there is no approved vaccine to prevent C. diff. That means many people remain vulnerable; especially older adults who deserve better protection. To help change this, research is essential.
Panthera is currently running a Phase 3 clinical trial testing a potential vaccine designed to prevent C. diff infection. This is an important step toward a future where fewer people suffer from this challenging condition.
By taking part in our research, volunteers have the chance to contribute to something bigger: the possibility of helping develop a vaccine that could protect thousands of people in years to come.
Get involved
If you are are interested in participating in research, please contact 03300 553327 or register for our clinical trial online.
