Developing a vaccine to prevent Acinetobacter infections
Official title: Evaluation of a polypeptide vaccine against Acinetobacter infection
Funded at Tufts University Boston · NIH-11086736 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new vaccine to help protect people from tough infections caused by a germ called Acinetobacter baumannii, which is getting harder to treat with antibiotics, and if successful, it could help keep patients safe from serious illnesses like pneumonia and bloodstream infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts University Boston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 9, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $193,591 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI180267-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11086736 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at high risk for Acinetobacter infections, such as those in hospital settings or with compromised immune systems.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for Acinetobacter infections or those who have already been infected may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a new vaccine to protect against infections caused by Acinetobacter baumannii, a bacterium that is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics. The researchers will evaluate the effectiveness of novel polypeptide vaccines by testing their ability to stimulate the immune system and provide protection in animal models. By identifying immune responses that correlate with protection, the study aims to refine the vaccine for better efficacy against serious infections like pneumonia and bloodstream infections. Patients may benefit from this research if the vaccine proves effective in preventing these difficult-to-treat infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a vaccine that significantly reduces the incidence of Acinetobacter infections, improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been limited success with similar vaccine approaches, this specific polypeptide vaccine strategy is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Tufts University Boston
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Arulanandam, Bernard Pragash — Tufts University Boston
- Study coordinator: Arulanandam, Bernard Pragash
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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.