An experimental drug, called CSA13, which increased levels of four protective metabolites proved effective at treating Clostridium difficile-infected mice, researchers at UC Los Angeles found.
The researchers published their findings in Gastroenterology.
Researchers studied mice infected with C. diff that were given CSA13 either orally or through injections. They compared the mice to C. diff-infected mice that received vancomycin as well as a control group that did not receive either treatment. They monitored the mice for 20 days.
They found the mice treated with CSA13 had increased levels of four metabolites that can inhibit C. diff. The metabolites can also reduce mortality rates and weight loss in C. diff-infected mice.
CSA13 is not FDA-approved for use in humans.