How flu virus and common airway bacteria stick together
Consequences of Direct Viral-Bacterial Interactions
This work looks at how the flu virus clings to common airway bacteria and how that helps both spread and worsen respiratory infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11245775 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how influenza A virus physically binds to bacteria that live in the human airway, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus, Moraxella, and Haemophilus. In lab experiments the team found that virus-bound bacteria stick better to cells and in animal tests these complexes led to greater bacterial colonization and spread. They also observed that influenza viruses survive drying much longer when attached to certain bacteria, which could help transmission between people. The group aims to identify the specific bacterial and viral factors that cause binding so new prevention or treatment approaches can be developed.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with recent or recurrent influenza or bacterial respiratory infections, and those willing to provide nasal or throat samples, would be most relevant for related participation.
Not a fit: People whose health problems do not involve the airways are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat flu-related bacterial pneumonia by blocking the virus-bacteria interaction.
How similar studies have performed: The idea that flu and bacteria act together is well known from prior lab and animal studies, but showing direct physical binding as a mechanism is a newer finding.
Where this research is happening
Memphis, United States
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital — Memphis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rosch, Jason W. — St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
- Study coordinator: Rosch, Jason W.
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.