Creating a new vaccine to protect children from ETEC infections
Official title: Development of an ETEC multivalent subunit vaccine using outer membrane vesicles
Funded at Tulane University of Louisiana · NIH-11119470 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new vaccine designed to help protect children from a type of bacteria that causes diarrhea, especially in places where healthcare is limited, by helping their bodies build defenses against the harmful toxins produced by this bacteria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tulane University of Louisiana NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Orleans, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $185,513 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI190682-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11119470 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0 to 11 years, particularly those living in areas where ETEC infections are prevalent.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 11 years or those who do not reside in regions affected by ETEC may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a multivalent vaccine using outer membrane vesicles to protect against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), a major cause of diarrhea in children, particularly in low-resource settings. The approach involves immunizing children to generate antibodies that can neutralize the toxins produced by ETEC and prevent bacterial colonization in the gastrointestinal tract. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of this vaccine in inducing protective immune responses against the heat-labile and heat-stable toxins associated with severe ETEC infections. By addressing a critical gap in existing vaccine efforts, this research aims to improve health outcomes for vulnerable pediatric populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a vaccine that significantly reduces the incidence of severe diarrhea caused by ETEC in children.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in developing vaccines targeting similar pathogens, indicating potential for success with this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Tulane University of Louisiana
New Orleans, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bitoun, Jacob P. — Tulane University of Louisiana
- Study coordinator: Bitoun, Jacob P.
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.