Recombinant antigens based on toxins A and B of Clostridium difficile that evoke a potent toxin-neutralising immune response.

•Definition of Clostridium difficile toxin-derived antigens for soluble expression in E. coli.•Demonstration of their potent neutralising immune response against key epidemic strain toxins.•TcdA and TcdB were different with respect to the domains that evoke a neutralising immune response.•TcdB central domains dominate the generation of a toxin-neutralising response.•Generated antibodies prevent C. difficile infection in passive immunisation studies.