New probiotic-based ways to fight Group B strep
Novel translational strategies to combat group B streptococcus infections
Testing a natural antibiotic made by a probiotic and an engineered probiotic to prevent and treat Group B strep infections that threaten pregnant people and newborns.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Methodist Hospital Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11230257 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Group B strep causes serious infections in pregnant people, stillbirths, preterm births, and newborns. Researchers found a probiotic that makes a previously unknown antibiotic called salivabactin and have engineered the probiotic to make more of it. They will use mouse models that mimic different human GBS infections to see whether salivabactin or the engineered probiotic can prevent or treat disease. This work is preclinical but aimed at creating treatments that could move into human testing later if results are promising.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Eventually, people who are pregnant or planning pregnancy, newborns at risk of GBS exposure, and adults with GBS infections would be the likely candidates for therapies developed from this work.
Not a fit: People with infections caused by bacteria other than Group B strep, or those with severe immune suppression or known reactions to probiotics, may not benefit from these approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new probiotic-based treatments or antibiotics that reduce GBS-related stillbirths, preterm births, and newborn infections.
How similar studies have performed: Early lab and animal work is promising—the team has shown improved prophylactic efficacy of the engineered probiotic in mice, but full therapeutic effects have not yet been demonstrated.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Methodist Hospital Research Institute — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kumaraswami, Muthiah — Methodist Hospital Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Kumaraswami, Muthiah
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.