How different tuberculosis bacteria cause milder or worse disease
Mtb strain-dependent mechanisms of pathogenesis in mouse models
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · NIH-11372577
Researchers are comparing different strains of the tuberculosis bacterium to learn why some cause mild lung infection while others spread or cause severe disease, aiming to help people with TB.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SEATTLE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11372577 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project starts with tuberculosis bacteria taken from patients and from engineered mutant strains linked to different clinical outcomes. Scientists will infect mice using a very low-dose aerosol method to model the earliest events after inhaling Mtb and to track how bacteria move from the lung to other parts of the body. The team will study how different strains interact with distinct lung immune cells, especially macrophage types, to see what drives containment or dissemination. Results will link bacterial genetic differences to the infection patterns seen in humans to guide future patient-focused work.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people with active or recent tuberculosis who can provide clinical samples or bacterial isolates for study.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate personal medical benefit should know this is laboratory and animal-focused research and may not change individual care right away.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help predict which infections are likely to become severe and point to better-targeted treatments or vaccines for people with TB.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research shows different Mtb strains can behave differently and mouse models have been informative, but the exact in vivo mechanisms linking strain variation to human disease remain largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
SEATTLE, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON — SEATTLE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: URDAHL, KEVIN B — UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- Study coordinator: URDAHL, KEVIN B
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.