Improving treatment for chronic H. pylori infection
Understanding and manipulating chronic Helicobacter pylori to enhance treatment
This research explores why chronic H. pylori infections are hard to get rid of and how we can make treatments work better for people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Santa Cruz NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Santa Cruz, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11120947 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many people worldwide have chronic H. pylori infections, which can lead to serious issues like ulcers and stomach cancer. Current treatments, which combine strong antacids with antibiotics, often don't fully cure the infection, leaving about 20-25% of people still infected. This happens because H. pylori can enter a slow-growing state, making antibiotics less effective. Our work aims to understand exactly how stomach acid and other factors affect H. pylori's growth and metabolism. By learning more about this, we hope to find new ways to make existing antibiotic treatments more successful.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is relevant to anyone currently or previously affected by chronic H. pylori infection and its associated health problems.
Not a fit: Patients without H. pylori infection or those whose infections are easily cured by current therapies may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for chronic H. pylori infections, reducing the risk of ulcers and gastric cancer for millions.
How similar studies have performed: Existing evidence suggests that stomach acid plays a role in H. pylori's resistance to antibiotics, and this work builds upon that knowledge to address specific gaps in understanding.
Where this research is happening
Santa Cruz, United States
- University of California Santa Cruz — Santa Cruz, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ottemann, Karen M — University of California Santa Cruz
- Study coordinator: Ottemann, Karen M
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.