How intestinal worms affect viral infections in the gut
Official title: An Intestinal Helminth Promotes Enteric Viral Infection Independent of Type 2 Immunity
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11092811 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how infections from certain worms in the intestines might affect the body's ability to fight off viruses, especially adenoviruses, and aims to help us understand how these infections could impact our immune system and overall health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | May 21, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $214,006 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI182722-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11092811 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with helminth infections who are also experiencing viral infections, particularly those related to the gastrointestinal tract.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without helminth infections or those not affected by viral infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of intestinal helminth infections on the body's ability to fight off viral infections, particularly focusing on adenoviruses. It explores how these parasitic worms, while generally non-harmful, may weaken the immune response against certain viruses by altering the body's inflammatory responses. Using a mouse model, the study examines the interactions between helminths and viral infections to understand the underlying mechanisms that could affect human health. Patients may benefit from insights gained about how these infections influence immune responses and viral replication.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for managing viral infections in patients with helminth infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that helminth infections can influence immune responses, suggesting that this research builds on established findings in the field.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Von Moltke, Jakob H. — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Von Moltke, Jakob H.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Amyloid and HIV: How aging with HIV shapes Alzheimer’s disease at the cellular level
Researchers are studying how aging people with HIV accumulate Alzheimer’s–related brain changes, to understand who might benefit from future therapies.
-
Placental responses to maternal viral infection shape sex-specific offspring immunity
A mother’s viral infection during pregnancy can change how her baby’s immune system develops, potentially making some babies more prone to infections after birth.
-
Gut bacteria and lung immune cells shape viral lung infections
A study explores how gut microbes affect lung immune cells and severity of respiratory viral infections to identify potential ways to reduce illness.
-
Restoring helper CD4 T cells to help control chronic viral infections
A research project tests a strategy to revive CD4 Th1 helper T cells to better control chronic viral infections like HIV and hepatitis B/C in people who need improved immune control.
-
Screening small medicines to block RSV in baby and adult airway cells
A small study tests whether certain drugs can block age-related signals in respiratory cells to stop RSV infection in infants and young children.
-
Immune drivers of long-term lung damage after viral infection
Researchers are studying why some people’s lungs stay damaged after severe viral infections like COVID-19 and how to stop this scarring from getting worse.
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.