Gut bacteria that may change how severe malaria becomes
Official title: Role of the Gut Microbiota in Shaping Severity of Malaria
Funded at Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-11333271 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at whether certain gut bacteria make malaria worse in children and could point to ways to lower the risk of severe malaria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project start | May 3, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $728,527 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI183911-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11333271 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children in malaria-endemic regions, especially those with recent Plasmodium infections or severe malarial anemia, would be the most relevant participants or sample donors for this work.
✕Less likely to help
People without exposure to malaria (for example those living in non-endemic areas) or those needing immediate treatment for acute malaria are unlikely to get direct benefit from this research right away.
What this research studies
If my child got malaria, this research would look at whether specific gut bacteria make the illness more severe. Scientists will compare gut microbes from children with severe malaria to those with mild or no symptoms and will study the effects of those human-associated bacteria in mice. The team focuses on Bacteroides species and how they change immune responses in the spleen and blood that affect parasite levels. The goal is to find microbial targets or strategies that could one day reduce the chance of severe malaria.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent or lessen severe malaria by targeting gut bacteria or their effects on the immune system.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in mice and observational work in humans have linked gut microbes to malaria outcomes, but identifying the specific bacterial species and mechanisms is a newer, less-tested step.
Where this research is happening
-
Indiana University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schmidt, Nathan — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Schmidt, Nathan
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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.