ImmuniMed

C. difficile infections (CDIs) are a growing global crisis, with ~500,000 cases annually in the U.S. alone (CDC) and ~29,000 deaths attributed to the pathogen each year. Mortality rates soar in severe cases, reaching 15–30% within 30 days of diagnosis, particularly among the elderly and immunocompromised. The economic burden is staggering, costing the U.S. healthcare system $6.3 billion yearly due to prolonged hospitalizations, treatments, and recurrences.

Recurrence rates compound the crisis: 20–30% of patients relapse after initial antibiotic therapy, rising to >60% after multiple episodes. Hypervirulent strains like BI/NAP1/027, responsible for 20–30% of outbreaks, drive higher mortality and resistance. Current treatments, including vancomycin (~30% recurrence risk), fail to address microbiome disruption—a root cause. With 1 in 11 seniors dying of CDI within a month of diagnosis, innovative therapies to restore gut balance are critical to curbing this lethal, costly epidemic.