Developing a vaccine to prevent Acinetobacter infections
Evaluation of a polypeptide vaccine against Acinetobacter infection
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 ID | NIH-11086736 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at high risk for Acinetobacter infections, such as those in hospital settings or with compromised immune systems.
Not a fit: Patients who are not at risk for Acinetobacter infections or those who have already been infected may not benefit from this research.
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 performed: 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
Boston, United States
- Tufts University Boston — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Arulanandam, Bernard Pragash — Tufts University Boston
- Study coordinator: Arulanandam, Bernard Pragash
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.