Boosting immunity against common and hypervirulent Klebsiella using its sugar coatings
Protective immunity elicited by distinct polysaccharide antigens of classical and hypervirulent Klebsiella
This project tests whether vaccines made from Klebsiella’s sugar coatings can help protect people at risk of serious Klebsiella infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11163390 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You should know researchers are studying the immune response to the sugar-based capsule and O-antigen on Klebsiella bacteria and building vaccine candidates called bioconjugates that link those sugars to carrier proteins. They will use laboratory and animal experiments to see how antibodies bind, block, and kill different Klebsiella types and to understand if the capsule interferes with protective antibody action. The team will compare classical and emerging hypervirulent strains and test multiple K- and O-type bioconjugates developed with industry partners. Their lab results are intended to guide which vaccine targets could offer broader protection for people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People most likely to benefit or be candidates for future trials include hospitalized patients, people with weakened immune systems, and others at high risk for Klebsiella infection.
Not a fit: People without risk factors for Klebsiella infection or those with infections caused by other bacteria are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this vaccine-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to vaccines that prevent serious Klebsiella infections such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and liver abscesses.
How similar studies have performed: Conjugate vaccines against other bacteria (for example pneumococcus) have been highly successful, and bioconjugate methods are promising in early work, but a broadly protective Klebsiella vaccine has not yet been proven.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rosen, David a. — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Rosen, David a.
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.