Antibodies that protect against Klebsiella pneumoniae
Antibody mediated immunity against Klebsiella pneumoniae
Researchers are comparing human antibody responses to different Klebsiella pneumoniae surface types to help guide vaccine design for people at risk of serious infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11223321 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you take part, researchers may ask for blood samples from people who have had Klebsiella pneumoniae infections. They will test whether antibodies in those samples recognize different bacterial surface sugars (O-antigens) and whether those antibodies can block or kill the bacteria. The team will identify which bacterial parts produce useful, functional antibodies and whether antibodies to one subtype work against others. This information will be used to decide which antigens to include in future vaccines to protect babies, hospitalized patients, and others at high risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people who have had recent Klebsiella pneumoniae infection or who are willing to donate blood samples, and may include hospitalized patients or participants from high-risk communities.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate treatment for an active infection or those without prior exposure to Klebsiella are unlikely to receive direct medical benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to vaccines that prevent dangerous, drug-resistant Klebsiella infections and reduce deaths, especially among newborns and hospitalized patients.
How similar studies have performed: Similar antibody-mapping approaches have informed vaccines for other bacteria, but K. pneumoniae vaccine strategies are still unapproved and this approach is promising though not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harris, Jason B — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Harris, Jason B
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.