How hidden herpesviruses affect lung infections
Intersection of Severe Respiratory Infection and Viral Latency
This project looks at how dormant gammaherpesviruses common in adults change immune responses to lung infections and how gut microbes and antibiotics influence that effect.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11323516 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers will study how long‑term (latent) herpesvirus infections inside immune cells change the way the body fights later lung infections. They will use lab models and infected immune cells to compare responses to different kinds of pulmonary pathogens and will test how the microbiota and antibiotic exposure alter herpesvirus latency and immunity. The team will combine cellular and animal experiments with analyses that relate findings back to human biology to identify key immune mechanisms. Results could point to ways to reduce severe respiratory infections or to guide antibiotic choices that affect viral latency.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with a history of herpesvirus infection, recurrent respiratory infections, or who are willing to provide samples for research would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Children, people without latent herpesvirus infections, or those seeking immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal why some people are better protected from or more vulnerable to lung infections and suggest new strategies to boost protection or tailor antibiotic use.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal and preclinical studies have suggested latent herpesviruses can alter responses to secondary infections, but linking those effects to the microbiota and detailed immune mechanisms is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Steed, Ashley — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Steed, Ashley
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.