Investigating how diabetes affects urinary tract infections caused by Group B Streptococcus
Official title: Understanding the pathophysiology of GBS UTI in diabetes
Funded at University of Louisiana at Lafayette · NIH-10495253 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into why people with diabetes are more likely to get urinary tract infections from a bacteria called Group B Streptococcus, and it aims to find out how diabetes affects the urinary system and the immune response, which could help improve prevention methods for these infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Louisiana at Lafayette NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lafayette, United States) |
| Project start | September 24, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $171,742 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI165939-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10495253 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults with diabetes who are at risk for urinary tract infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without diabetes or those who do not experience urinary tract infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding why individuals with diabetes are more prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by Group B Streptococcus (GBS). It aims to explore how the diabetic urinary environment may enhance the bacteria's ability to cause infections and weaken the body's immune response. Using mouse models of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, the study will investigate the interactions between GBS and the immune system in the urinary tract. The findings could provide insights into the mechanisms behind these infections and lead to better prevention strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention and treatment strategies for urinary tract infections in diabetic patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding bacterial infections in diabetic patients, but this specific investigation into GBS-UTI is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Lafayette, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kulkarni, Ritwij — University of Louisiana at Lafayette
- Study coordinator: Kulkarni, Ritwij
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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.