Identification of a 1,2,4-Oxadiazole with Potent and Specific Activity against Clostridioides difficile, the Causative Bacterium of C. difficile Infection, an Urgent Public Health Threat

The discovery of compound 57, a new, totally synthetic 1,2,4-oxadiazole antibacterial agent, is described. This oxadiazole displays highly selective, bactericidal killing of Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile, the bacterium that causes C. difficile infection (CDI) in both hospital and community settings. The narrow spectrum of activity exhibited by 57 should avoid any disruption of commensal anaerobic bacteria in the gut microbiome, minimizing chances for recurrent CDI.