Finding new ways to diagnose flea-borne typhus infections
Official title: Identification of diagnostic biomarkers for flea-borne typhus
Funded at University of Texas Med Br Galveston · NIH-11058207 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new ways to quickly and accurately diagnose flea-borne typhus, a serious illness, by finding specific proteins in the body that can help doctors identify the infection early, making it easier to get the right treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Med Br Galveston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Galveston, United States) |
| Project start | November 21, 2024 |
| Project end | October 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $232,800 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI183177-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11058207 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who may be at risk for flea-borne typhus infections, particularly those with unexplained febrile illnesses.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have already been diagnosed with flea-borne typhus or those who do not exhibit symptoms of the disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to identify specific biomarkers that can help diagnose flea-borne typhus, a serious infectious disease caused by Rickettsia typhi. The researchers will develop a new antigen-based diagnostic assay that can accurately detect these infections early, which is crucial since symptoms can be vague and current testing methods are unreliable. By using advanced proteomic analysis, they have already identified promising proteins that could serve as diagnostic targets. This work could lead to improved diagnostic tools that enhance patient care and treatment outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to faster and more accurate diagnoses of flea-borne typhus, improving treatment and reducing healthcare costs.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing antigen-based diagnostics for other infectious diseases, suggesting that this approach could be effective for flea-borne typhus as well.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Med Br Galveston
Galveston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fang, Rong Megan — University of Texas Med Br Galveston
- Study coordinator: Fang, Rong Megan
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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.