How genital schistosomiasis harms genital tissues and affects infection risk
Genital Immune, Mucosal, and Viral Effects of Female Genital Schistosomiasis in Tanzania
Researchers are looking at how female genital schistosomiasis changes local immunity and tissue health in women in Tanzania and whether those changes raise the chance of genital viral infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11307616 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, you may be asked to provide genital tissue, fluid samples, and health information so doctors can compare women with and without signs of genital schistosomiasis. The team will profile immune cells in genital tissue, examine epithelial (mucosal) damage, and test samples for common genital viruses. Laboratory work will model how parasite eggs cause inflammation and scarring that might weaken the mucosal barrier. The goal is to find biological targets that could lead to therapies to repair tissue, calm harmful inflammation, or reduce viral risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Women in Tanzania who have or are suspected to have female genital schistosomiasis, including those with ongoing genital symptoms after praziquantel treatment, would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without genital schistosomiasis, men, or those who cannot attend study sites in Tanzania would not directly benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to treatments that help heal damaged genital tissue and reduce the risk of viral genital infections for affected women.
How similar studies have performed: Praziquantel reliably kills worms and improves bladder pathology but genital egg-related damage often persists, and the specific immune and viral connections targeted here are relatively under-studied.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Downs, Jennifer Alzos — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Downs, Jennifer Alzos
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.