How Kingella kingae causes bone, joint, and bloodstream infections in young children
Pathogenicity of the emerging pathogen Kingella kingae
This project looks at how Kingella kingae causes bone, joint, and bloodstream infections in young children, especially those under age 4.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11223312 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study how K. kingae lives in the throat, gets into the bloodstream, and spreads to bones and joints. The work focuses on a sugar coat the bacteria make (an exopolysaccharide encoded by the pamABCDE genes) that helps the bug cause disease. Scientists will examine bacterial isolates, genetic differences between strains, and how the exopolysaccharide and antibiotic resistance affect infection using laboratory models and human-derived samples. The goal is to understand the steps that lead to severe infections so future prevention or treatment options can be developed.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children under age 4 with confirmed or suspected K. kingae bone, joint, or bloodstream infections, and young children who carry K. kingae in the throat, would be most relevant to this research.
Not a fit: Adults and people without K. kingae infection or carriage are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent or treat K. kingae infections in young children, such as targeted antibiotics or vaccine strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies have identified virulence factors like the galactofuranose exopolysaccharide but effective prevention strategies such as vaccines have not yet been developed.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- Children's Hosp of Philadelphia — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: St. Geme, Joseph W. — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: St. Geme, Joseph 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.