Investigating vaccines for preventing congenital cytomegalovirus infections.
CMV Vaccines: Reinfection and Antigenic Variation
This study is looking at ways to prevent a common virus that can affect babies when their moms are pregnant, and it’s especially for pregnant women who might be at higher risk; the researchers want to see if vaccines and support programs can help keep moms and their babies healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10686167 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on congenital human cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection, which is the most common viral infection acquired during pregnancy and can lead to serious neurodevelopmental issues in infants. The study aims to develop vaccines that can effectively prevent or modify this infection, particularly in populations where mothers have high immunity. Researchers will explore how reinfections with different strains of CMV contribute to new infections and will implement cognitive-behavioral interventions to reduce exposure risks among pregnant women. The goal is to assess the effectiveness of these interventions in lowering the rates of cCMV infections in this high-risk group.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women, particularly those with high levels of immunity to cytomegalovirus.
Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or those without any history of cytomegalovirus infection may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective vaccines that significantly reduce the incidence of congenital cytomegalovirus infections and their associated developmental complications in infants.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in developing vaccines for viral infections, but this specific approach targeting cCMV reinfection is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Birmingham, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Britt, William Jarvis — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Britt, William Jarvis
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.