How HIV affects vaginal viruses and preterm birth risk in pregnant South African women
Official title: Influence of HIV infection on vaginal virome and risk of preterm birth in pregnant South African women
Funded at Seattle Children's Hospital · NIH-11379712 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether HIV changes the mix of viruses in the vagina and whether those changes are linked to earlier births among pregnant women in South Africa.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Seattle Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 9, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $70,988 |
| NIH project number | 3R01HD106821-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11379712 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant women in South Africa, particularly those living with HIV (and comparable pregnant women without HIV) who can provide vaginal samples and be followed through delivery, are ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People who are not pregnant, cannot attend participating clinics in South Africa, or are unwilling to provide vaginal samples are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
The team will compare pregnant women living with HIV to pregnant women without HIV to characterize the vaginal virome (all viruses present, including bacteriophages and human viruses such as HPV). Vaginal samples will be collected during pregnancy and analyzed with genetic sequencing to identify viral families and patterns. Researchers will link virome profiles to birth outcomes, including preterm birth, and examine whether HIV itself or antiretroviral treatment better explains any observed risks. The goal is to find viral signatures or mechanisms that could explain the higher preterm birth rate among women with HIV.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal viral markers or pathways that help prevent or reduce preterm birth among pregnant women living with HIV.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked vaginal bacteria and HPV to birth outcomes and shown virome changes in people with HIV, but applying comprehensive vaginal virome analysis specifically to preterm birth is largely new.
Where this research is happening
-
Seattle Children's Hospital
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jaspan, Heather Beryl — Seattle Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Jaspan, Heather Beryl
Related research
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How HIV-related vaginal viruses may affect early births in pregnant South African women
This work looks at whether differences in vaginal viruses in pregnant women with HIV help explain their higher chances of having a preterm birth.
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How HIV affects vaginal viruses and the risk of early birth in pregnant women in South Africa
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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.