How COVID-19 can increase the risk of lung mold (Aspergillus) infections
The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Immune Dysregulation on Antifungal Immunity
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · NIH-11145640
Researchers are looking at how immune reactions during severe COVID-19 might let Aspergillus mold grow and cause lung infections in hospitalized patients.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BIRMINGHAM, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11145640 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project compares lung fluid and tissue from people with severe COVID-19 to control infection cases to look for changes that help Aspergillus grow. The team will measure iron, heme, metal-binding proteins, antiviral signals, and neutrophil-recruiting chemokines in bronchoalveolar lavage samples and examine lung tissue with microscopy and spatial gene mapping. They will also study cell death patterns and viral factors that may release nutrients and reduce antifungal defenses, and use laboratory models to see how these changes speed mold growth. The goal is to connect specific immune and tissue changes in COVID-19 to the development of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people hospitalized with severe COVID-19, particularly those undergoing bronchoscopy or with suspected secondary fungal lung infection who can provide lung fluid or tissue samples.
Not a fit: People without COVID-19, those with purely allergic or noninvasive forms of Aspergillus, or those not able to provide lung samples would be unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new tests or treatments to prevent or treat COVID-associated lung mold infections in hospitalized patients.
How similar studies have performed: Clinicians have described COVID-associated pulmonary aspergillosis, but mechanistic studies like this are novel and have not yet been published.
Where this research is happening
BIRMINGHAM, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM — BIRMINGHAM, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LEAL, SIXTO MANUEL — UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- Study coordinator: LEAL, SIXTO MANUEL
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.