Combining harmless bacterial proteins with worm medicines to overcome drug-resistant intestinal worms
Combining B. thuringiensis crystal proteins with small molecule anthelmintics to combat parasitic nematode resistance
Researchers are trying whether adding safe bacterial crystal proteins to common worm medicines can better treat intestinal worm infections that are becoming drug-resistant in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11248342 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I or my child had intestinal worms, this project is trying to pair proteins from a soil bacterium (called Cry proteins) with standard oral worm drugs like albendazole, ivermectin, or emodepside to kill parasites that have become drug-resistant. The team has shown Cry proteins are safe in animals and can work with other drugs to boost killing or make resistant worms more vulnerable. They will test different drug–protein combinations in lab models and infected animals to find ones that are synergistic and that reduce resistance. Successful combinations would be prepared for future safety and dosing work aimed at human use, especially in places where mass drug treatments are given.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with intestinal worm infections (hookworm, roundworm, whipworm), including children, pregnant women, and adults in areas targeted by mass drug administration, would be the eventual candidates for these combination therapies.
Not a fit: People without intestinal nematode infections or those with unrelated medical conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this work at this stage.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This could produce stronger, longer-lasting treatments for intestinal worms and slow the spread of drug resistance in communities.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies have shown Cry proteins can be safe and effective against parasitic worms and can act synergistically with existing anthelmintics, but human testing remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
Worcester, United States
- Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester — Worcester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Aroian, Raffi V — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Aroian, Raffi V
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.