Enterococcus-Based Agent for Clostridium difficile Infection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs) are challenging to prevent and treat, especially in healthcare settings where infection control is inadequate, leading to chronic infections due to the disruption of gastrointestinal flora by antibiotics and the spread of the bacteria among patients and healthcare workers.

Innovation Solution

A prophylactic and therapeutic agent comprising a bacterium belonging to the genus Enterococcus, specifically Enterococcus faecalis EF-2001 strain, which is orally administered to prevent and treat CDI, offering intestinal immunity-activating effects and lactic acid fermentation benefits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If antibiotics are administered to treat infections, then bacterial infections are suppressed, but gastrointestinal flora is disrupted leading to C. difficile infection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebacterial infection suppressionVSAvoidgastrointestinal flora disruption

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes C. difficile toxin A and toxin B, which are harmful substances produced by the pathogen, as the active ingredients in the therapeutic agent. These toxins, when administered in controlled amounts, stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies that protect against C. difficile infection, effectively converting the pathogen's harmful products into beneficial protective factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs antibodies against C. difficile toxin A and toxin B as intermediary substances that mediate between the administered toxin components and the host immune system. These antibodies serve as mediators that specifically target and neutralize the harmful toxins produced by C. difficile, providing therapeutic protection without requiring direct confrontation with the pathogen itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If infection control measures are strengthened in healthcare settings, then C. difficile spread is reduced, but diagnostic awareness and detection capability improve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfection control effectivenessVSAvoiddiagnostic awareness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical infection control measures (such as hand hygiene, isolation protocols, and environmental cleaning) with a biochemical intervention system. The therapeutic agent comprising toxin components and antibodies provides a molecular-level mechanism for preventing and treating C. difficile infection, substituting physical control methods with a more precise biological approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Quantity of substance

If viable C. difficile bacteria are present in the gastrointestinal tract, then colonization occurs, but asymptomatic carriage persists without symptoms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebacterial colonizationVSAvoidsymptom manifestation

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent administers the therapeutic agent containing toxin A and toxin B components before C. difficile infection becomes symptomatic or spreads in healthcare settings. This preliminary intervention establishes protective immunity in advance, preventing the progression from asymptomatic colonization to symptomatic infection and reducing transmission risk before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The Enterococcus-based agent effectively prevents and treats CDI by reducing viable cell counts in stool and improving survival rates, demonstrating its efficacy in both prophylactic and therapeutic applications.

Implementation Method 1

a lactic acid bacterium belonging to the genus Enterococcus can prevent and/or treat Clostridium difficile infection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLactic acid fermentation: Fermentation

Data Source

PatentUS11730776B2Preventive and/or therapeutic agent for clostridium difficile infection

Publication Date: 2023.08.22 NUTRI CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a novel prophylactic and/or therapeutic agent for Clostridium difficile infection. It was found that a bacterium belonging to the genus Enterococcus can prevent and/or treat Clostridium difficile infection. The prophylactic and/or therapeutic agent for Clostridium difficile infection, comprising a bacterium belonging to the genus Enterococcus. A medicine for prevention and/or treatment of Clostridium difficile infection, comprising a bacterium belonging to the genus Enterococcus. A food for prevention and/or treatment of Clostridium difficile infection, comprising a bacterium belonging to the genus Enterococcus.