Oral vaccine to prevent chlamydia infection
An oral vaccine against Chlamydia trachomatis
An oral, weakened Chlamydia-based vaccine is being developed to help protect people from sexually transmitted chlamydia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Science Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11310774 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project is preparing a weakened form of Chlamydia that would be given by mouth to teach the immune system to block genital chlamydia infection. In animals the vaccine strain lives briefly in the gut without causing disease and prompts immune protection in the genital tract. The team is collecting safety and preclinical data needed to ask the FDA to start human trials. If those steps succeed, the vaccine would move into clinical testing in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who are sexually active and at risk for chlamydia infection would be the likely candidates for future clinical trials of this vaccine.
Not a fit: People with weakened immune systems or those already infected with chlamydia would likely not benefit and may be excluded from receiving a live-attenuated oral vaccine.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the vaccine could lower the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted chlamydia and reduce complications like pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies using related weakened Chlamydia strains have shown protective immunity, but no licensed human chlamydia vaccine exists yet, so this builds on promising preclinical results.
Where this research is happening
San Antonio, United States
- University of Texas Hlth Science Center — San Antonio, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhong, Guangming — University of Texas Hlth Science Center
- Study coordinator: Zhong, Guangming
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.