Environmental acquisition of livestock-associated Staphylococcus aureus in people with chronic lung disease
Official title: Environmental acquisition of ST398 Staphylococcus aureus by patients with chronic respiratory disease
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11378686 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores whether a livestock-linked Staphylococcus aureus strain (ST398) found in a small group of people with cystic fibrosis can persist and come from environmental sources like food or water.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $77,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R03AI194244-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11378686 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with chronic respiratory diseases, especially cystic fibrosis patients who have been found to carry or be at risk for ST398 infections.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without chronic respiratory disease or without exposure risk to livestock-associated S. aureus may not benefit.
What this research studies
For people with chronic lung disease, researchers will collect clinical and environmental samples over time and use genome sequencing to track tetracycline-resistant ST398 strains. They will analyze the data with phylogenetic methods and map where the strains appear to understand possible transmission routes. The goal is to see if infections persist for years and whether contaminated water or food chains contribute to acquiring ST398. The work may help identify preventable exposure sources and inform strategies to reduce infection risk in susceptible patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could illuminate how livestock-associated S. aureus reaches patients with chronic lung disease and suggest ways to lower infection risk.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown livestock-associated lineages can appear in humans and genomic tracing can reveal transmission links; this study extends that with environmental sampling and geospatial analysis.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fischer, Anthony John — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Fischer, Anthony John
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Household air pollution and child DNA changes tied to later lung health
A study in Guatemalan children looks at how early exposure to smoky kitchen fuel changes DNA and could influence respiratory health as they grow.
-
Genetic testing and specialist care for rare causes of chronic lung, sinus, and ear infections
This project offers stepwise genetic testing and specialty referrals to find rare inherited causes of recurring lung, sinus, and ear infections in children and adults.
-
Quantitative imaging to find chronic lung disease in high-risk patients
A project will use advanced chest CT image analysis to detect chronic lung diseases early in veterans, aiming to help people who might otherwise go undiagnosed.
-
Understanding lung diseases by combining genetic data and big biobank information
A big research project will look at genes, health data, and other biological information from diverse people to better understand why COPD and asthma develop and vary across populations.
-
Early-life household air pollution and DNA changes linked to childhood respiratory health in Guatemalan kids
This study looks at how exposure to smoke from solid fuel at home in early life may affect DNA and respiratory health in Guatemalan children enrolled in the HAPIN trial.
-
Long-term endotypes of prematurity-related lung disease in former preemies
A long-term study looking at why some babies born very early develop lasting breathing problems and how their genes might explain these different paths.
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.