How early life respiratory infections affect asthma development
Official title: Early Life Pulmonary Infection, Microbiome and Trained Innate Immunity
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10899469 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how early infections with a common virus called RSV might affect the chances of developing asthma and allergies later on, especially by examining changes in the gut bacteria of newborns, and it's aimed at helping improve prevention and treatment for asthma in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $41,465 |
| NIH project number | 5F31HL165674-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10899469 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include infants and young children who have experienced respiratory infections, particularly RSV.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are adults or those without a history of early life respiratory infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of early life respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections on the development of asthma and allergic diseases later in life. By studying how RSV alters the gut microbiome in neonates, the researchers aim to understand the connection between early infections and immune responses. They will conduct experiments using specially designed mice to explore how these changes influence allergic reactions when exposed to allergens like cockroach droppings. The goal is to uncover mechanisms that could lead to better prevention and treatment strategies for asthma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing asthma and allergic diseases in children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results in understanding the relationship between early infections and asthma, indicating that this research builds on established findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ethridge, Alexander Dale — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Ethridge, Alexander Dale
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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.