NIH-funded research R01 grant

Immune responses linked to severe dengue in children (primary infection)

Official title: Immune responses associated with severe disease in patients with primary dengue infection

Funded at Emory University · NIH-11596504 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This grant studies why some kids get very sick from their first dengue infection and how their immune system reacts differently from secondary infections.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionEmory University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Atlanta, United States)
Project startSeptember 10, 2024
Project endJuly 31, 2029
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$29,279
NIH project number3R01AI186371-03S1
Project IDNIH-11596504 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Pediatric patients with confirmed dengue infection, particularly those experiencing severe disease.

Less likely to help

Children with mild dengue who recover quickly may not benefit from the specific immune comparisons.

What this research studies

The project follows children with dengue to compare their innate immune responses, dengue-specific antibodies, and T cell activity during severe primary dengue versus severe secondary dengue. Researchers will use patient samples from India to analyze differences in immune signals, antibody quality, and T cell behavior that may explain why primary infections can be more dangerous in some cases. The study aims to tie these immune patterns to disease severity and identify markers that could guide better care. Results could help doctors predict who is at risk and inform future treatments or vaccines for pediatric patients.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: Understanding these immune differences could lead to better risk prediction and targeted interventions for children with dengue.

How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown distinct immune responses in severe dengue; this study extends comparisons to primary versus secondary severe cases.

Where this research is happening

  • Emory University
    Atlanta, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Kaja, Murali Krishna — Emory University
  • Study coordinator: Kaja, Murali Krishna

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.