Chlamydia and gonorrhea interaction: how host interferons influence co-infection
Official title: Chlamydia enhances gonococcal infection through host interferons
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-11572329 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A human-health focused project looks at how the body’s interferon signals during chlamydia infection affect the way gonorrhea behaves, with potential implications for people vulnerable to both infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $845,263 |
| NIH project number | 2R56AI164727-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11572329 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals at risk for or diagnosed with chlamydia and/or gonorrhea who may benefit from improved understanding of co-infection dynamics.
✕Less likely to help
People without exposure to sexually transmitted infections or without involvement in coinfection pathways may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project studies how type I interferons in the female reproductive tract influence gonorrhea when chlamydia is present. Researchers have found that interferon pathways can alter how long and how strongly gonorrhea persists in a mouse model, and they aim to translate these insights toward human relevance. The work uses animal models to explore the biology of co-infection and the role of IFN receptors and interferon subtypes in pathogen survival. The findings could inform future strategies to prevent or treat coinfections that are common in clinic settings. Overall, the goal is to understand a key immune interaction that may affect disease severity and treatment responses in patients with both infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new approaches to reduce gonorrhea burden in people with chlamydia or to tailor therapies during coinfection.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal studies show a clear link between interferon signaling and gonorrhea survival, suggesting potential but not guaranteed translation to humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Golenbock, Douglas T — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Golenbock, Douglas T
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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.