Investigating how leprosy bacteria may be transmitted by ticks
Official title: Exploiting the arthropod vector: novel mechanisms of Mycobacterium leprae transmission
Funded at University of South Alabama · NIH-10746137 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into whether blood-feeding ticks can spread leprosy, a disease that many people might not know much about, to help explain why some people get it without any direct contact with others who have it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Alabama NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Mobile, United States) |
| Project start | November 28, 2022 |
| Project end | October 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $231,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI173708-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10746137 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with leprosy who may be concerned about the sources of their infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have no history of leprosy or are not at risk of exposure to the bacteria will not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the transmission of leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, by examining the role of blood-feeding ticks as potential vectors for the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae. The study aims to understand how these ticks might acquire and transmit the bacteria to vertebrate hosts, which could help explain the high number of leprosy cases with no known human contact. By comparing the behavior of the bacteria in ticks versus vertebrates, the research seeks to uncover new insights into the transmission mechanisms of this disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prevention strategies for leprosy transmission, ultimately reducing new cases and associated anxiety for patients.
How similar studies have gone: While the investigation of arthropod vectors in relation to leprosy is relatively novel, similar research has shown success in understanding other zoonotic diseases transmitted by insects.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Alabama
Mobile, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Macaluso, Kevin R. — University of South Alabama
- Study coordinator: Macaluso, Kevin R.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Nanobody tools to study NEIL1 and NEIL2 in DNA repair
A small, targeted grant will create special nanobodies to study how NEIL1 and NEIL2 repair damaged DNA in human cells and mitochondria.
-
Nosocomial pneumonias and cognitive function in ICU survivors
In ICU survivors, this project looks at how pneumonia acquired in the hospital may be linked to long-term thinking and memory problems.
-
Mesenchymal cells to protect lungs by moving mitochondria to repair blood vessel function
Aims to test whether intravenously given mesenchymal stromal cells can help people with acute lung injury by transferring mitochondria to lung cells and restoring their barrier function.
-
Pathogen-linked amyloid-β and kidney inflammation in UTIs
A small NIH grant is exploring whether amyloid-β, a protein better known for its role in dementia, helps fight urinary tract infections but may also drive kidney inflammation.
-
Cell-free hemoglobin and oxLDL: a pathway to lung inflammation in sepsis
This program looks at how free hemoglobin in the blood and oxidized LDL may break down the lung’s blood vessel barrier during sepsis, potentially leading to ARDS.
-
Mitochondria moving between nerves and breast cancer cells
A study to understand how nerve cells and breast cancer cells exchange mitochondria and how this affects cancer spread, with a focus on triple-negative breast cancer.
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.