Creating a universal vaccine to prevent leptospirosis
Official title: Development of a Universal Vaccine Against Leptospirosis
Funded at University of Connecticut Storrs · NIH-11139395 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on creating a universal vaccine to protect people and animals from leptospirosis, a serious infection caused by bacteria, especially aimed at helping those most at risk like farmers and city dwellers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Connecticut Storrs NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Storrs-Mansfield, United States) |
| Project start | July 16, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $764,616 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI182354-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11139395 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in areas with high exposure to leptospirosis, such as farmers, military personnel, and urban populations engaged in water sports.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk of exposure to leptospirosis or those with pre-existing immunity to the disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a universal vaccine against leptospirosis, a serious infectious disease caused by bacteria that can affect both humans and animals. The project focuses on identifying vaccine candidates that can provide protection against the diverse strains of the bacteria responsible for this disease. By evaluating specific strains and their immune responses, the researchers hope to create a vaccine that is effective for a wide range of populations, including those at higher risk such as farmers and urban residents. The approach involves advanced immunological techniques and animal models to test the efficacy of the vaccine candidates.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a widely applicable vaccine that significantly reduces the incidence of leptospirosis in both humans and animals.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been attempts to develop leptospirosis vaccines, this research is exploring novel approaches that have not yet been widely tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Connecticut Storrs
Storrs-Mansfield, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wunder, Elsio Augusto — University of Connecticut Storrs
- Study coordinator: Wunder, Elsio Augusto
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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.