How bacteria interact with viruses in genital herpes infections
Official title: Bacteria-Virus interactions in genital herpes infections
Funded at Harvard School of Public Health · NIH-10993106 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how good bacteria in the vagina can help fight off the herpes virus, and it’s for anyone interested in understanding how these bacteria might protect against infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $232,073 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI180508-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10993106 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with a lactobacilli-dominant vaginal microbiome or those diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have genital herpes or related infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the interactions between bacteria and the herpes simplex virus in the vaginal mucosa, an area that has been less studied compared to the intestinal tract. The study focuses on how vaginal lactobacilli can inhibit the infectivity of the herpes virus, exploring the specific bacterial components involved in this process. Researchers will analyze the role of peptidoglycan from vaginal lactobacilli and its effects on viral suppression, as well as the immune responses triggered by these interactions. By examining vaginal samples from individuals with different microbiome compositions, the research aims to understand the implications for human health and herpes virus shedding.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing and managing genital herpes infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that bacterial interactions can influence viral infections, suggesting potential for success in this novel area of research.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard School of Public Health
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gopinath, Smita — Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Gopinath, Smita
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.