How sand fly saliva affects skin immunity in leishmaniasis
Official title: Alteration of skin immune environment by sand fly saliva across progressive Leishmaniasis
Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-11145427 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the saliva from sand flies affects the immune system in the skin of dogs with visceral leishmaniasis, helping us learn more about how some dogs get sick while others stay healthy, which could lead to better ways to treat and prevent the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $566,035 |
| NIH project number | 7R01AI171971-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11145427 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include dogs infected with Leishmania infantum, particularly those showing varying stages of the disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not dogs or those without Leishmania infection may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of sand fly saliva in altering the immune environment of the skin during visceral leishmaniasis (VL), a disease caused by the Leishmania parasite. By studying how these salivary components interact with immune cells, particularly in dogs, the research aims to understand the immune responses that lead to either disease progression or resistance. The approach includes analyzing immune cell behavior and the presence of specific markers in the skin of infected animals. This could provide insights into how to improve treatment and prevention strategies for VL.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better strategies for preventing and treating visceral leishmaniasis, potentially reducing mortality rates associated with the disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding immune responses in similar parasitic infections, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio State University
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Petersen, Christine a — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Petersen, Christine a
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.