How skin bacteria influence cutaneous leishmaniasis
Skin microbiome contributions to the pathogenesis of cutaneous leishmaniasis
This project looks at whether certain skin bacteria, especially Staphylococcus aureus strains, make skin leishmaniasis worse and aims to find targets to help people heal faster.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11327383 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's view, researchers collect bacteria from leishmaniasis skin sores and compare which bacteria and bacterial strains are linked to slow healing. They culture Staphylococcus aureus taken from patients and use genomic comparisons to find bacterial genes that might drive harmful inflammation. The team tests selected bacterial strains in laboratory and mouse models to see how they change the immune reaction in lesions, and studies immune cells such as regulatory T cells in patient tissue. The goal is to pinpoint bacterial and host factors that could be targeted with new treatments to reduce damaging inflammation and speed recovery.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with active cutaneous leishmaniasis skin lesions—particularly infections with L. braziliensis or those experiencing delayed wound healing.
Not a fit: People without skin leishmaniasis (for example, those with visceral leishmaniasis) or patients who need immediate antiparasitic emergency care may not directly benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that reduce harmful skin inflammation and help lesions heal faster in people with cutaneous leishmaniasis.
How similar studies have performed: Previous patient observations and mouse experiments have linked skin bacteria to worse leishmaniasis outcomes, but identifying specific strain-level bacterial factors is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Scott, Phillip — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Scott, Phillip
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.