UW-Madison researchers have developed a workflow for identifying microbial strains that are effective in treating CDI. Using this workflow, they found that the ability for a microbiome (existing or transplanted) to inhibit the growth of C. diff is dependent on the conditions/environment. With this knowledge, they generated media to simulate the environment created after treatment with antibiotics. Under these conditions, they were able identify certain C. diff strains that were thriving and used that knowledge to create a consortium that was capable of inhibiting these strains. One bacteria in particular, Clostridium hiranonis, was particularly effective at inhibiting C. diff growth and toxin production. C. hiranonis alone and in combination with other bacteria was successful in inhibiting CDI in mice having different gut nutrient compositions (i.e., pre and post treatment with antibiotics).